I received this same letter.

Excellent logic!

The phrasing does not preclude Microsoft from sending that particular e-mail, unless the fact that the person opted out of email advertisements is considered personal information.

Still, it's not as bad as Wal-Mart's milk pricing.

@Jacob Morgan: No one is saying it breaks the yesyouCAN Spam act, which has more holes than a captured Somali pirate (too soon?). The point is that its bad policy, and its most likely incredibly counter-productive.

It's called touch governance, and you don't want to be harassing people, ESPECIALLY those that use your products and opt not to be harassed.

It's like that psycho ex-girlfriend who keeps e-mailing you to make sure you're still broken up, just in case you change your mind.

Not that I would know anything about that.

@rockasocky: haha, I had (have?) one of those. Bloody nutcase.

A few weeks ago, I walked past the CIO's office to hear the CEO asking how we could do an email blast to those people that opted-out of our lists. My heart dropped. I guess we'll be spamming next.

Has anyone else added MS to their spam list?

If they "would like to communicate important product updates", then shouldn't they offer a setting that says "Microsoft can communicate important product updates to me, but cannot harass me with marketing for products I don't use."?

I find it really distasteful that they seem to be saying "If we can't market to you, then we won't provide support to you as an existing customer."

@Darrone: which has more holes than a captured Somali pirate

The only captured pirate was intact. The ones with holes escaped capture.

They did not, however, escape perforation.

I got one of these, but since it was in my [Microsoft] Hotmail account's inbox I let it pass. I mean, they're the ones providing the free email, right? What's wrong with a harmless plug every now and then?

@rpm773: Because they already make money off you by advertising on Hotmail, and always have. Also, many people (like me) prefer to keep their lives free from stupid offers for things I don't want or need.

Now if they could only find the people who send me viagra email spam and hang them, I'll be happy.

Just another reason to stop using hotmail altogether. I only use it for junk right now -- i put it into a website if i think i'm going to get spammed.

I reported it as a phishing scam.

I got this and was one of the tipsters. I don't use Hotmail, but I do use a Microsoft Live account for a variety of Microsoft Live services and other vendors who choose to use their Passport technology.

I responded to the email (likely futilely) with the following message:

--------------------------------

Dear Windows Live Team-

Let me be blunt: no means no.

Please don't contact me about opting in to receive promotional emails when I explicitly stated I do not want them. Where do I opt out of emails about opting into promotional offers?

While I could just hit "Trash" and go about my business, this feels like a breach of my trust and should be communicated as such.

Marcel Ray

@GuinevereRucker: Right, I understand. Nobody like spam, but the difference here is that it's Microsoft sending out and email to people with free hotmail accounts, which is run by Microsoft.

Complaining about this relatively innocuous tactic is a little like going to the supermarket on free sample day, loading up on free food, and then scowling at the server for trying to push the product you're munching on.

Now, that's my take for receiving these on free hotmail. Other people have since posted examples where their patronage of Microsoft email is less than that of their choosing. So I can empathize with their being annoyed.

I got that and WTF'd at it. Then it got marked as spam and I forgot about it. At least they allowed me to unsubscribe myself unlike some places whose unsubscribe pages are 404s or require you to login with a login you don't have and can't create for some crazy reason to unsubscribe.

@antisane: Same here. I wasn't sure if I should laugh or be annoyed.....I laughed.

@codepage9: I report their emails as a phishing scam.

How does "promotional information or survey invitations" suddenly equal "important product updates"

@Daniel Beahn: I'm thinking Microsoft actually does mean "information for products you don't use" when they say "important product updates".

@rpm773: Then why let people opt-out in the first place?

@rpm773: @Rectilinear Propagation: oooo two good points. I'm torn. I think rpm773 makes a good point, but I think everyone would be happier if Microsoft just add a clear notice about how use of hotmail allows them to send you 'important product updates' and other advertisements. Then no one feels deceived when the opt-out starts seeming like a lame facade.

@dorianh49: Damn i wish i had thought of doing that with the one i got :( Kudos to you!