[Mailman-Users] AOL to Implement E-mail Certification Program

[Brad Knowles]

Folks,

	Just saw this article at <http://www.clickz.com/news/article.php/3581301>:

		AOL to Implement E-mail Certification Program
		ð ð ð   ClickZ News

		By Kevin Newcomb | January 30, 2006


		In a bid to protect its members from e-mail fraud and phishing, and
		to offer consistency to commercial e-mail senders, AOL today will
		begin implementing Goodmail's cryptographic CertifiedEmail program
		and phasing out its IP-based Enhanced Whitelist.

		As part of its e-mail security practices, AOL blocks the display
		of images and hyperlinks on most high-volume messages, except if
		senders are on the AOL Enhanced whitelist and maintain very low
		complaint rates. Beginning today, AOL will also allow senders who
		have undergone accreditation through Goodmail to display images
		and hyperlinks by default. Goodmail charges accredited companies
		a fraction of a cent per message sent.


	Read the rest at the URL above.


	So, any thoughts on what that means for mailing list operators 
around the world?  From my perspective, it looks like FAQ 3.42 (see 
<http://www.python.org/cgi-bin/faqw-mm.py?req=show&file=faq03.042.htp>) 
is going to take a turn for the worst.

	Basically, unless you want to pay GoodMail to certify everything 
sent by your list, you just won't get through to AOL recipients.  So, 
I guess it's time to unsubscribe all AOL users.

	Thoughts?

-- 
Brad Knowles, <brad at stop.mail-abuse.org>

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

     -- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), reply of the Pennsylvania
     Assembly to the Governor, November 11, 1755

  LOPSA member since December 2005.  See <http://www.lopsa.org/>.