Why does Apple keep spamming me?

I checked the address each time I unsubscribed and it was always the same address. I did as you suggested and checked my Contact Prefs in my account. Sure enough, it was set for "Email from Apple". I've turned it off in my account. Hopefully that will solve the immediate problem. Apple, however, needs to be aware that the unsubscribe link in the emails does not seem to be working.

kd

Man, am I hacked! So on 9/23 I went into my Contact Prefs as was suggested. I found that it was set for "Email from Apple". I turned that off. So here it is 10/16 and I get spam from Apple today. I log back into my account and "Email from Apple is turned back on. ***! What gives, Apple? What do I have to do to make you quit spamming me!?! I swear I'm going to the Attorney General if I don't get a reasonable solution quickly. And believe me, I've got a record. I've gotten spammed by Apple on 5/14, 7/8, 7/10, 8/26, 9/22, 9/23, and 10/16. I'm sick of it.

Kevin Donn

The spamming continues. This time I checked myinfo.apple.com and the "Email from Apple" checkbox isn't even checked. I haven't bought any products recently and I haven't registered anything. And yet the spam keeps coming. So far the list is: 5/14, 7/8, 7/10, 8/26, 9/22, 9/23, 10/16, 10/27.

For those of you suggesting this is somehow OK, all I can say is you should acquaint yourself with the law. Apple is breaking the law by continuing to send me promotional email when I've asked repeatedly for them to quit. I'm not one to "get over it" when the law is being broken. Sing that song to someone else.

For the record, here are other companies that I've asked to not send me any email promotions who have honored my request: Scotts, Microsoft, Artful Home, Sitepoint, Mini, UPS, Eddie Bauer. All companies I did business with, spammed me, were asked to stop, and did stop. Very simple.

I have now referred it to the Attorney General in my state. Depending on how that works out, I'll work with the FCC and US Attorney General next.

They're standard marketing junk. This latest is "Last chance to protect your MacBook". Thank God it's my last chance. Prior subject lines have been "Announcing HD TV shows on Apple TV", "Give the gift employees and clients want to get.", "Adobe Creative Suite 4. Preorder today.", "iMac. The perfect desktop computer for your home.", etc. I'll paste in below the full text of the email I received today. I've cut out parts that might compromise my account or privacy. Enjoy.


Delivered-To: xxxx@gmail.com
Received: by 10.181.17.2 with SMTP id u2cs256052bki;
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:04:14 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.151.42.18 with SMTP id u18mr12595678ybj.186.1225130548064;
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:02:28 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path: <n ibounces@insideapple.apple.com>
Received: from xxxx.com (xxxx.3.nw.nuvox.net [xxxx.3])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id 6si352763gxk.3.2008.10.27.11.02.26;
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:02:27 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: softfail (google.com: domain of transitioning n ibounces@insideapple.apple.com does not designate xxxx.3 as permitted sender) client-ip=xxxx.3;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=softfail (google.com: domain of transitioning n ibounces@insideapple.apple.com does not designate xxxx.3 as permitted sender) smtp.mail=n ibounces@insideapple.apple.com
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:02:27 -0700 (PDT)
Received: from badger06009.apple.com ([17.254.6.165]) by xxxx.com
with SMTP (Code-Crafters Ability Mail Server 2.63);
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:02:25 -0500
Message-Id: <7b0qi3$t01om6@badger06.apple.com>
Received: from cbox-ignite06.apple.com ([17.128.113.76])
by badger06009.apple.com with SMTP; 27 Oct 2008 11:02:24 -0700
Return-path: n ibounces@insideapple.apple.com
From: Apple <News@InsideApple.Apple.com>
To: xxxx@xxxx.com
Subject: Last chance to protect your MacBook.
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----= Part_238526661912514.1225130544866"
X-Broadcast-Id: 41843
X-Sent-To: xxxx@xxxx.com,2,oBAPiEfTC25LAiIQYzz1SAyDhrcM5aaa2r7%2B1wCVyzTOaGh7MkHII7Qdyi1xY T9pqfgfJaSpaZzEHtLrg7fr%2BWbwkfkOnLWKEAfsbMY%2Fwn0%3D
X-BTPH: Reg

------= Part_238526661912514.1225130544866
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Disposition: inline

Play more. Worry less.

AppleCare Protection Plan
Buy now
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFF=
T5F%2BNSyL0TSO0KZEBwOK8uzpVvZq%2B87jM8zSyQkjHQ2Cf4qmqraNNyxhL0HSB3v%2Fbo=
EYi5%2FP5SPH46Ers4PngHcy5uq77Pm5oXYn0E%2B%2BZ8eMC%2Bb7WUDOciItHv

Your one-year warranty is about to expire.
Keep your investment safe with the AppleCare Protection Plan. This is your =
last chance to extend your service and support coverage to three years from=
your MacBook purchase date. You'll get expert telephone technical support,=
anytime access to online resources, and global repair coverage.*
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFF=
T5F%2BNSyL0TSO0KZAda%2F3eZb7z%2F0wrV79hclE0GDeCaYGXwdwEnFKPEI4MbSKKGG7eF=
OjYNfUX5IhzD1XTD2Ja7Z3hqwFLoC%2Fs%2Bh1D9P%2BJjuf8ifUELSSNjc%2BNN

The AppleCare Protection Plan covers:
- MacBook hardware
- Mac OS, iLife, and iWork
- Time Capsule, AirPort Express, or AirPort Extreme Base Station when used =
with MacBook

Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for your MacBook today.
Buy and register online or call 1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273).
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFF=
T5F%2BNSyL0TSO0KZG37KA0X7ACAVGAx0fTP8ujSuOdBCzz7y%2BBi3y%2FvB2nPAJWzxKb6=
Md8Bfym%2B28zACcl9H3y9lNwq4NZ24Mu30lPBobIAtlp9xxsRCBo3oIBdDnX4PurPizY1mh5rZ=
Zb5RQ%3D%3D

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

If you have already purchased the AppleCare Protection Plan, register your =
agreement today and take advantage of the coverage your plan provides.
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFF=
T5F%2BNSyL0TSO0KZApSOtg6LPzg9n1DX8PCQkjHQ2Cf4qmqraNNyxhL0HSB3v%2FboEY=
i5%2FP5SPH46Ers4PngHcy5uq77Pm5oXYn0E%2B%2BZ8eMC%2Bb7WUDOciItHv

*Local telephone fees may apply. Telephone numbers and hours of operation m=
ay vary and are subject to change. Access to web-based resources requires t=
he use of a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply. For more =
information, visit:
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFF=
T5F%2BNSyL0TSO0KZCq35PZ%2BlIMvCK64RjqNJ26QkjHQ2Cf4qmqraNNyxhL0HSB3v%2Fbo=
EYi5%2FP5SPH46Ers4PngHcy5uq77Pm5oXYn0E%2B%2BZ8eMC%2Bb7WUDOciItHv

Repair service may include onsite, carry-in, and direct mail-in; specific a=
vailability of each option depends on product type and location of Apple Au=
thorized Service Provider. Apple may also request that the customer replace=
components with readily installable parts.

The AppleCare Protection Plan must be purchased within the covered product'=
s warranty term. For further details, please review terms and conditions.
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFF=
T5F%2BNSyL0TSO0KZKGWoxav6ywdOniAKPzPsfaQkjHQ2Cf4qmqraNNyxhL0HSB3v%2FboEY=
i5%2FP5SPH46Ers4PngHcy5uq77Pm5oXYn0E%2B%2BZ8eMC%2Bb7WUDOciItHv

Copyright (c) 2008 Apple Inc. 1 Infinite Loop, MS 303-3DM, Cupertino, CA 95=
014.

All Rights Reserved
http://www.apple.com/legal/default.html

Keep Informed
http://www.apple.com/enews/subscribe/

Privacy Policy
http://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/

My Info
https://myinfo.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyInfo

If you prefer not to receive commercial email from Apple, or if you've chan=
ged your email address, please click here
http://insideapple.apple.com/updateacct/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=
=3DoBAPiEfTC25LAiIQYzz1SAyDhrcM5aaa2r7%2B1wCVyzTOaGh7MkHII7Qdyi1xYT9pIBk%2B=
glIq9%2BQbh9Z4q9RB2f15AJodChtwzmioL0tvquMzYjfil8yRckpL%2FlYdkd90
------= Part_238526661912514.1225130544866
Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Disposition: inline

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
=09<title>APP MacBook_1year+20080314</title>
=09<meta name=3D"viewport" content=3D"width =3D 560" />
<style type=3D"text/css">
img {margin:0}
a.learnmore,a.learnmore:visited,a.learnmore:active {color:#cb3d35; text-dec=
oration:none}
a.learnmore:hover{color:#cb3d35; text-decoration:underline}
</style>
</head>

<body bgcolor=3D"#999999" style=3D"margin:0; padding:0">
<table width=3D"100%" bgcolor=3D"#999999" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0" align=3D"center">
=09<tr>
=09=09<td style=3D"padding: 30px"><!--
--><table width=3D"560" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" al=
ign=3D"center" bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF">
=09<tr>
=09=09<td width=3D"381" valign=3D"top"><!--
--><table width=3D"381" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0">
=09<tr>
=09=09<td width=3D"381"><img src=3D"http://images.apple.com/chatterbox/us/2=
008/recurring/macbook app_1year20080314/img/topleft.gif" width=3D"381" hei=
ght=3D"19" border=3D"0" alt=3D"" style=3D"display:block"></td>
=09</tr>
=09<tr>
=09=09<td><a href=3D"http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=
=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFFT5F%2BNSyL0TSO0KZL9VJmWaMuhwy6Y13Dbcn14MWU%2BoGo8vw=
qpz32BOehGE05BrbZVXqpVvA18%2Bkz4AKs%2F%2FhQu%2FQYjlruk9k%2BHCQa4%2B1quEzfZk=
zXCrA76T7Fx4" onClick=3D"s_objectID=3D'203903'"><img src=3D"http://images.a=
pple.com/chatterbox/us/2008/recurring/macbook app_1year20080314/img/macboo=
k_top.jpg" width=3D"381" height=3D"281" border=3D"0" alt=3D"Play more. Worr=
y less." style=3D"display:block"></td>
=09</tr>
</table><!--
=09=09--></td>
=09=09<td width=3D"179" valign=3D"top"><!--
--><table width=3D"179" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0">
=09<tr>
=09=09<td width=3D"179"><img src=3D"http://images.apple.com/chatterbox/us/2=
008/recurring/macbook app_1year20080314/img/topright.gif" width=3D"179" he=
ight=3D"261" border=3D"0" alt=3D"AppleCare Protection Plan" style=3D"displa=
y:block"></td>
=09</tr>
=09<tr>
=09=09<td> </td>
=09</tr>
</table><!--
=09=09--></td>
=09</tr>
=09<tr>
=09=09<td colspan=3D"2" align=3D"left" valign=3D"top"><a href=3D"http://ins=
ideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=3D2&la=3Den&lc=3Den&a=3DHFFT5F%2BNSyL=
0TSO0KZL9VJmWaMuhwy6Y13Dbcn14MWU%2BoGo8vwqpz32BOehGE05BrbZVXqpVvA18%2Bkz=
4AKs%2F%2FhQu%2FQYjlruk9k%2BHCQa4%2B1quEzfZkzXCrA76T7Fx4" onClick=3D"s_obje=
ctID=3D'203903'"><img src=3D"http://images.apple.com/chatterbox/us/2008/rec=
urring/macbook app_1year_20080314/img/macbookbottom.jpg" width=3D"454" hei=
ght=3D"70" border=3D"0" alt=3D"" style=3D"display:block"></td>
=09</tr>
</table><!--
--><table width=3D"560" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" al=
ign=3D"center" bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF">
=09<tr>
=09=09<td valign=3D"top">



=09=09</td>
=09</tr>
=09<tr>
=09=09<td><img src=3D"http://images.apple.com/chatterbox/us/2008/recurring/=
macbook app_1year20080314/img/bottom.gif" width=3D"560" height=3D"12" bord=
er=3D"0" alt=3D"" style=3D"display:block"></td>
=09</tr>
</table><!--
BEGIN FOOTER
--><table width=3D"560" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" al=
ign=3D"center">
=09<tr>
=09=09<td>






<img src=3D"http://insideapple.apple.com/img/APPLE EMAILLINK/spacer2.gif?v=
=3D2&a=3DoBAPiEfTC25LAiIQYzz1SAyDhrcM5aaa2r7%2B1wCVyzTOaGh7MkHII7Qdyi1xYT9p=
qfgfJaSpaZzEHtLrg7fr%2BWbwkfkOnLWKEAfsbMY%2Fwn0%3D" alt=3D"" width=3D"1" he=
ight=3D"1">
=09=09</td>
=09</tr>
</table><!--
=09--></td>
=09</tr>
</table>
<img src=3D"http://metrics.apple.com/b/ss/appleuscdmclickmap/1/H.4-pdv-2/41=
843?[AQB]&pageName=3DAPP MacBook_1year+20080314&[AQE]" width=3D"1" height=
=3D"1" alt=3D"">
</body>
</html>
------= Part_238526661912514.1225130544866--

I never like to say "there is no chance". I'm a realist and a software developer, so I know I miss things sometimes. But you be the judge: I've looked at every header I've gotten from Apple. I've never seen any indication of a forward and I never saw any recipient that wasn't the address of my Apple account. Furthermore my Apple account email address is kd.apple@<blah>.com. Generally when I work with any online entity who wants my email address, I make a special alias just for them with their own company name in the alias so I don't get anything mixed up. The address I gave to Apple was only given to Apple.

I've made sure that the address in the email is the same address that the Opt-Out page shows when I click the Opt-out link in the email. I'm perplexed myself. This isn't complicated stuff. I find it completely disheartening that Apple can't even condescend to acknowledge there's a problem.

Let me more specifically address your question, Rachel. The two addresses you point out are different addresses. Apple sends to kd.apple@<blah>.com because that's the only address they have for me. That server does, in fact, forward to Gmail and that's where I read my mail. When I click on the Opt-out link in the email, the Opt-out page at Apple displays and says:

Hi, Kxxx.
The address at which you’ve chosen to receive product news and other commercial messages from Apple is: kd.apple@<blah>.com

Note that the page refers to my Apple address, not my Gmail address. The link Apple provides has keys that fully identify to them the recipient of the email, and the Opt-out page confirms this. When I click the Remove Me link, the page displays:

The following email address has been removed from our mailing list: kd.apple@<blah>.com.

And then I get another spam... Sigh.

Yes, Ali, I am an ADC member and I've checked my profile there as well. It uses the same address I've already mentioned and it is also set to not send me email.

I'm not familiar with AppleSeed and I don't think I'm signed up for it.