A lot of the spam I get seems to hide its tracks. The idea- I suppose- is get the victim to see the message, click on a link etc. ( So, If you were to actually reply via email- your data would go into outer space or worse- you'd likely be bombing some innocent bystander (I love when I "send myself spam", must be my evil twin or I must sleepmail).)

I've noticed something a little different lately. Newsletters.. Sometimes you sign up for a legitimate service, and that organization shares your email address with a 3rd party. Next thing you know, you got a legitimate(ish) organization you never heard of- sending you 'newsletter' junk.
With a notice like... " By continuing to receive e-mails from ******* you agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy."

Ha. I might as well write an email to my gf right now that says "By not reading this email and replying in five seconds with the words I am imagining in my head in the subject line, you agree to do anything I want for a week straight."

There's an unsubscribe procedure via email- and a pleading note that the email be blank.

So, here's my question. Aside from technicalities (please, seriously).

Is it ethical if someone were to possibly do something back? Since:
- For example, someone such as I, did not sign up with them for jack squat
- There's less danger that the target would be a smokescreen and innocent bystanders would suffer.
- The unsubscribe method is via the victim (someone such as I),sending an 'unsubscribe email' back to them. (They *want* 'interaction')

Is retaliation ethical if a spam source can be identified beyond a reasonable doubt?

I for one, don't believe in karma- but I do believe in honor and not doing stupid s**t as much as possible. I don't know what to think is right or wrong here. Please comment.

In reply to (OT) Is retaliation ethical if a spam source can be identified beyond a reasonable doubt? by leocharre

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