Comments:

Wells Fargo OPPOSES the creation of a national "do not e-mail" registry. As noted in the Commission's testimony before Congress during consideration of the CAN-SPAM Act, the potential for abuse of such a list is enormous, and there is little reason to believe that the worst spammers would observe it even if the security issues could be successfully resolved. Unlike telemarketing calls, the timing of which is totally within the control of the caller, e-mail does not have to be read or answered unless and until it is convenient for the recipient to do so. In addition, e-mail addresses seem to be much more subject to change than telephone numbers. A national registry would soon contian more obsolete e-mail addresses than current ones. The same senders who would observe a "do not e-mail" registry will provide an "opt out" mechanism as required by the CAN-SPAM Act. The burden of opting out once to unwanted e-mail from a given sender is minimal. Accordingly, we urge the Commission to continue to advise against the creation of a national "do not e-mail" registry. Respectfully submitted, Peter L. McCorkell Senior Counsel on behalf of Wells Fargo & Company