No products in the cart.
Scraping Emails from Websites? That’s Now Considered a Scam — And It’s Illegal in Australia
In today’s digital economy, email remains one of the most powerful marketing tools. But there’s a right way—and a very wrong way—to grow your database.
If your business (or someone you’ve hired) is scraping email addresses from websites to build marketing lists, it’s time to stop. This practice is now illegal in Australia and could land you in serious legal trouble.
What Is Email Scraping?
Email scraping refers to the practice of harvesting publicly available email addresses from websites, directories, or forums, then using them for unsolicited marketing. While it might seem like a shortcut to build a contact list, it’s now officially considered a scam behaviour under new Australian law.
The Legal Update: Spam Act 2003 + Scams Prevention Framework 2025
Under the Spam Act 2003, sending commercial emails without consent has always been prohibited. But now, with the introduction of the Scams Prevention Framework Act 2025, the law has gone further:
- Scraping emails and using them for marketing is considered a scam tactic.
- Businesses in digital, marketing, telecom, and financial sectors are under stricter scrutiny.
- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have the power to issue penalties up to $50 million for non-compliance.
Even if an email is publicly available online, it does NOT count as consent to receive promotional material.
What Could Go Wrong?
- Hefty fines from ACMA or the ACCC
- Damage to your brand’s reputation
- Legal action from individuals or businesses
- Getting blacklisted by email providers, reducing your future reach
Do This Instead: Build Your Database the Right Way
The best and safest way to grow your email list is through genuine permission-based marketing. That means:
- Using clear opt-in forms on your website or social platforms
- Offering value (like a free guide, exclusive offer, or newsletter) in exchange for signup
- Providing a clear privacy policy
- Including an easy opt-out option in all your communications
Need Help? Let’s Grow Your Brand — the Right Way
At Brand Guru Agency, we help businesses create ethical, powerful marketing strategies that grow your brand and your customer base—without risking fines or reputational damage.
Let’s build a campaign that’s not only compliant, but compelling.
Scaling Your Business with a Strong Marketing Partner
As your business grows, your marketing needs will evolve. The strategies that worked for you in the early stages of your business may not be enough to sustain or accelerate growth. At Brand Guru Agency, we are a true marketing partner to help you scale your business. Our team has experience in both brand strategy and execution, ensuring that your marketing is aligned with your long-term goals. We help you navigate the complexities of scaling—whether that’s expanding into new sectors, launching new products, or reaching a broader audience. With our support, you can confidently invest in marketing initiatives that drive sales and lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth.
Contact Brand Guru Agency today to create a strategy that helps you grow your brand, your business, and your database — legally and effectively.
Leave a Reply