Is It Legal to Send Cold or Mass Emails? – What the Law Says

A few weeks ago, a client reached out asking whether it's legal to collect emails and send cold emails.

The answer to both is YES.

In this article, we explain the correct way to send mass emails like a pro, and the legal aspects to consider to comply with GDPR, LOPD, and LSSICE in your email marketing campaigns.👨‍⚖️⚖️

These regulations are specific to Europe. In the United States, the law is more flexible and allows commercial emails to be sent without restrictions. Still, if you're in the US, we recommend following these practices to avoid being intrusive — and to build more authentic connections (and boost your sales!💸).

Shall we start?

1. How You Collect Data Matters

The LOPD and GDPR outline the legal grounds for collecting personal data, including email addresses.

Collecting emails is legal when:

✅ Users give consent – usually through contact forms and opt-in checkboxes (pre-checked boxes or silence don’t count).

✅ They come from public and accessible sources – phone directories, public social media profiles, websites, professional directories, etc.

So don’t be afraid to use tools like MailerFind, which automatically collect public contact data from Instagram profiles. It’s one of the most effective and affordable lead generation strategies out there.

2. How to Send Emails Legally

LSSICE is the regulation that governs how emails are sent.

❌ You cannot send promotional messages in the first email if people haven’t opted in. Your first contact must not be commercial.

❌ You must include an unsubscribe option in all emails.

Here’s a quick checklist to send cold emails legally:

✅ Collect emails from public sources – online directories, public profiles, or tools like MailerFind.

✅ Avoid selling in your first message – skip the “Buy now!” pitch. Be natural, helpful, and non-commercial. You're building relationships, not pushing products.

💌 Tip: In your first email, add value. Offer useful resources or solutions that genuinely help.

Make your CTA about sparking a conversation or offering a valuable piece of content (blog, video, podcast…) — or ideally, just getting them to reply or call you.

✅ Add a legal notice at the end of your emails, informing recipients they can unsubscribe.

3. Mailerfind Data Compliance Services

If you’d rather forget about legal worries, we offer an accessible solution: Mailerfind Data Compliance Services. This includes legal review of your campaigns, a certificate of compliance, consultations, and even help managing any claims. For more info, email us at support@mailerfind.com.

Conclusion

Just make sure your offer is genuinely helpful to the people behind those emails.

See? It’s not as complex as it seems. Cold emailing IS legal.

It’s one of the most powerful, affordable ways to attract clients and grow your business.

And remember — it all starts with a high-quality, segmented list.

If you still have questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help: support@mailerfind.com

Updated on: 03/07/2025