[gigel82]

That is still signal that the email address is valid. I'd prefer something like the server immediately sending a SMTP 550 5.1.1 (unknown recipient error), for anything that's immediately recognized as spam (or marked as spam in the past by the user). That gives no signal at all and might even persuade some scammers to remove your email address from their list.

[hedora]

If you don’t follow spam links, then it lets the spammer probe your spam filter, and try stuff until you follow links.

A better approach is to follow all links always (even to non-existent recipients) if you must play this game.

That reminds me: I should make sure all my mail clients are still set to plain text rendering.

[dmitrygr]

I hereby remind you of a bet you lost: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39186555 :)

my contact info is in my profile to arrange settlement