SMS Compliance Overview
Sending SMS messages for business purposes requires compliance with various regulations and carrier policies. This section covers everything you need to know to send messages successfully while staying compliant.
Why Compliance Matters
Section titled “Why Compliance Matters”Non-compliant SMS campaigns can result in:
- Message filtering and blocking by mobile carriers
- Account suspension from messaging platforms
- Fines from regulatory bodies like the CRTC (Canada) or FCC (US)
- Damage to your brand reputation
- Legal liability for privacy violations
Key Compliance Areas
Section titled “Key Compliance Areas”1. Content Restrictions
Section titled “1. Content Restrictions”Certain types of content are prohibited or restricted across all carriers. The industry uses the acronym SHAFT-C to describe prohibited content categories:
- Sex - Adult/explicit content
- Hate - Discriminatory or hateful content
- Alcohol - Requires age verification
- Firearms - Restricted content
- Tobacco - Requires age verification
- Cannabis - Prohibited regardless of legality
Learn more about prohibited content
2. Consent and Opt-Out
Section titled “2. Consent and Opt-Out”Before sending messages, you must have:
- Explicit consent from the recipient
- Clear opt-out instructions in every message
- Immediate processing of opt-out requests (STOP, ARRET, UNSUBSCRIBE)
3. Sender Registration
Section titled “3. Sender Registration”In the United States, business SMS requires registration:
- 10DLC Registration - For standard 10-digit phone numbers
- Toll-Free Verification - For toll-free numbers (833, 888, etc.)
Learn about 10DLC registration
4. Regional Requirements
Section titled “4. Regional Requirements”Different regions have specific requirements:
- Canada (CASL) - Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation
- United States (TCPA/CTIA) - Telephone Consumer Protection Act and CTIA guidelines
Learn about Canadian requirements
TextFlow Compliance Features
Section titled “TextFlow Compliance Features”TextFlow includes built-in compliance tools:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Real-time Content Checking | Messages are scanned before sending for prohibited content |
| Automatic Opt-Out Processing | STOP/ARRET/UNSUBSCRIBE keywords are automatically processed |
| Quiet Hours Enforcement | Messages only sent 9am-9pm in recipient’s timezone |
| 10DLC Registration | Self-service brand and campaign registration |
| Consent Tracking | Audit logs for consent and opt-out history |
| Toll-Free Verification | Streamlined verification workflow |
Getting Started
Section titled “Getting Started”- Review prohibited content - Understand what you cannot send
- Register your brand - Complete 10DLC registration for US messaging
- Set up opt-out handling - Ensure STOP keywords are processed
- Test your campaigns - Use the compliance checker before sending
Compliance Checklist
Section titled “Compliance Checklist”Before launching any campaign, verify:
- Message content does not contain prohibited keywords
- Recipients have provided explicit consent
- Opt-out instructions are included
- Your brand/campaign is registered (for US messaging)
- Quiet hours are configured appropriately
- Message does not contain deceptive content
Need Help?
Section titled “Need Help?”If you’re unsure about compliance:
- Use the built-in compliance checker in TextFlow
- Contact support for guidance on specific use cases
- Consult legal counsel for industry-specific requirements
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