Controversy
SpamCop's collaboration and creation of its blacklist is commercially controversial in that third parties that don't send spam are affected when an IP address they use becomes listed on the SCBL because of reports that accuse their IP address of being a spam/UBE source. This can happen because their IP address is shared with many other customers of their ISP. It may also be the result of malicious, careless or over-zealous reporting of spam.
Since addresses got with the above mentioned spamtrap method may have been falsely used as return addresses on spam messages, backscatter caused by these messages (including vacation messages and other auto-replies) can result in a receiving server being blacklisted if it fails to employ backscatter prevention techniques. One of the unique features of the SCBL, however, is that a listing expires automatically when no spam is reported from that source for 24 hours.
SpamCop notes that "The SCBL is aggressive and often errs on the side of blocking mail. By using the SCBL, you can block a lot of spam, but you also may block or filter wanted email" and suggests using the SCBL as part of a scoring system. Many ISPs and IT consultants use the SCBL as a confirmed authority for blocking decisions, often without making it clear to their clients that valid incoming messages may be rejected.
The SpamCop website has an esoteric guide of procedures for blocked senders to submit a de-listing request.
Read more about this topic: Spam Cop
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