Opt-in (consent) in API forms send False when the checkbox is not filled for peple who already provided a consent, how can we fix it?

Question

Hi All,
 
We have a different API (not Marketo) forms on our website that allow people to opt-in for future e-mail communications by checking a checkbox  (related to the Opt-in field which is boolean). If they check it, they get opted in, if not they don't. Unfortunately, we've discovered that if someone who previously opted-in does not check the opt-in box on their next form submission, they then get opted-out as the checkbox returns a false to Marketo. 
We can't hide the checkbox for the people who are already subscribed since it is one-way integration from API forms to Marketo. 
What to do in Marketo, to be able to ignore the false opted-out coming from the API forms?
 
Thank you,
Ivelina

SanfordWhiteman · Accepted Answer

First, to be clear to anybody reading, there isn’t anything to “fix” per se — Marketo is doing exactly what you should expect if you pass it a false value for a Boolean field.

The fault is fundamentally with the form design and the fact that it doesn’t read the person’s existing values. That’s one of many reasons why using a Marketo form — with Pre-FIll — is better than trying to roll your own one-way form.

Because you don’t know what the person’s previous value was, it‘s wrong to assume that leaving the checkbox unchecked means they should still be opted-in (if already opted-in). If they left the value empty, the user assumes they are not opted-in. Otherwise, you’re not allowing them opt-out, ever. That cannot be legal, even in an underregulated place (like most of the US).

Jo_Pitts1 · Answer

@stoyanova ,As per some of the the other comments, It is the one way nature of your architecture that is the core problem. One potential 'solution' (and I use the term loosely) is to replace your checkbox with radio buttons with labels for opt-in and opt-out, have neither selected, and make them mandatory.  This way, the person filling the form has to make a conscious decision as to whether to opt in or opt out.  If they choose to opt out, you know it is for real.  FWIW - I tend to use this approach even in Marketo forms as it does force someone to choose, as opposed to being able to blast straight through a checkbox without even thinking about it. CheersJo

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