What makes consent valid (specific, informed, freely given)?

Valid consent requires three elements under strict frameworks like GDPR. It must be specific: the subscriber knows exactly what they're signing up for. \"Subscribe to our newsletter\" is specific; \"Agree to our terms\" (which happen to include email marketing buried on page 47) is not. Consent for one purpose doesn't transfer to another-agreeing to receive shipping notifications doesn't authorize promotional campaigns.

It must be informed: the subscriber knows who will send them email and what kind of content to expect. This requires clear identification of your brand at sign-up and description of what subscribers will receive. Hidden senders, undisclosed data sharing with partners, or vague promises violate the informed requirement.

It must be freely given: the subscriber had a genuine choice without coercion. Pre-checked boxes fail this test-checking \"no\" isn't the same as affirmatively checking \"yes.\" Bundled consent also fails: \"Accept all to continue\" where email is packaged with unrelated services removes free choice. Valid consent is a subscriber actively saying \"yes, send me that specific content\"-not being tricked, coerced, or defaulted into agreement.