{
  "schema_version": "1.1",
  "id": "can-spam-penalty-53088-per-email",
  "slug": "can-spam-penalty-53088-per-email",
  "url": "https://groundedkit.com/claims/can-spam-penalty-53088-per-email/",
  "api_url": "https://groundedkit.com/api/claims/can-spam-penalty-53088-per-email.json",
  "claim": "Each email that violates CAN-SPAM can cost up to $53,088 in penalties",
  "commonly_cited_as": "\"CAN-SPAM fines per email\" / \"What is the penalty for violating CAN-SPAM?\"",
  "verdict": "verified",
  "verdict_definition": "Primary source found; it says the same thing, the scope matches, and it is reasonably current.",
  "confidence": "high",
  "rating": {
    "value": 5,
    "best": 5,
    "worst": 1
  },
  "origin": {
    "publisher": "Federal Trade Commission",
    "title": "CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business",
    "year": "2023 (guide); amount current for 2026"
  },
  "quote": "Each separate email in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act is subject to penalties of up to $53,088, so non-compliance can be costly.",
  "method": "FTC business guidance; amount matches 16 CFR 1.98.",
  "drift": [
    "Date: older posts quote earlier, lower inflation-adjusted amounts"
  ],
  "interest": "n/a (federal regulator).",
  "safe_rephrasing": "Under the FTC's CAN-SPAM guidance, each separate non-compliant commercial email can draw penalties of up to $53,088.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "FTC — CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business",
      "url": "https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business",
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "title": "eCFR — 16 CFR 1.98",
      "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subpart-L/section-1.98",
      "primary": true
    }
  ],
  "kind": "reference_fact",
  "as_of": "Guide page shows $53,088; FTC kept 2025 penalty levels for 2026",
  "last_checked": "2026-10-16",
  "stale": false,
  "date_reviewed": "2026-10-16",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0",
  "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
}