What best practices should be followed when handling user data for mass email distribution in PHP applications?

When handling user data for mass email distribution in PHP applications, it is important to ensure the privacy and security of the user's information. Best practices include properly sanitizing and validating user input, securely storing email addresses, using a reputable email service provider for distribution, and providing an option for users to unsubscribe from future emails. 

<?php
// Sanitize and validate user input
$email = filter_var($_POST['email'], FILTER_SANITIZE_EMAIL);
if (!filter_var($email, FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL)) {
    // Handle invalid email address
}

// Securely store email addresses
// Store email in database or encrypt before storing

// Use a reputable email service provider for distribution
// Example using PHPMailer library
require 'vendor/autoload.php';
$mail = new PHPMailer(true);
$mail->isSMTP();
$mail->Host = 'smtp.example.com';
$mail->SMTPAuth = true;
$mail->Username = 'your@example.com';
$mail->Password = 'yourpassword';
$mail->SMTPSecure = 'tls';
$mail->Port = 587;

// Provide option for users to unsubscribe
// Include unsubscribe link in email footer
?>

Keywords

data validation email headers SMTP PHPMailer encryption

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