Understanding the Rules and Regulations Governing Texting
This week’s conference call was so exciting that nobody showed up! But it is important, nevertheless, for you to understand the ins and outs of the industry. So I hope you at least read the Customer Manual located on the navigation bar of your dashboard. Here is what we would have talked about:
We work very hard to stay on top of all the rules governing text messaging so that you do not have to do the research yourselves. But we also want to give you access to the information yourselves so that you can look into it, if you choose. Let’s begin by talking about the organizations and the laws.
Alphabet Soup
FCC
The FCC is the Federal Communications Commission and they set the laws governing text messaging.
CTIA
This organization is the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. It is a members organiation of Telephone and Internet Providers who set industry wide best practices for the FCC.
TCPA
This one is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. This law was passed in 1991 and is there to restrict telephone solicitations.
CAN-SPAM
Stands for; Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act of 2003 and it does just want it says.
Breakdown on the Rules
All of these laws and organizations make up the rules and regulations that oversee the use of texting for marketing purposes on mobile devices. The fees for violating these laws is hefty! $1,000 per illegal text message sent. This is why we go to great lengths to make sure you stay compliant! So please take us seriously on this. It is important!
Most of the safeguards for compliance is built into our system. But 3 are not. Therefore, it is up to you to make sure you are compliant on these 3 things:
First: You must make sure that you put the disclaimer on EVERY printed opt-in request. When it doubt, do it. You will never regret being too careful! The disclaimer is as follows:
Message and Data Rates may apply, no more than [number] text messages per month, text HELP for help and STOP to end.
This message can be in very small print, but it must be on everything you print to ask for an opt-in.
Second: You may only send out text messages between the hours or 9 am and 9 pm, in the time zone of the recipient. That means that the person recieving your text should only recieve it between 9 am and 9 pm. Any texts sent outside of these times in considered spam. (We have included a table or safe times to send texts for all the time zones in the Customer Manual, located in your dashboard at the bottom of the navigation bar on the left.)
Third: And this one should go without saying, but do not text out inappropriate material or links to inappropriate materials. CAN-SPAM will shut us all down immediately. So I only mention it because the news is filled with people who do not understand the meaning of being inappropriate.
I am not sharing these rules to scare you, but to impower you. There is nothing to be scared of, we have done most of the hard work for you. However, it is important for our customers to understand that texting is a privilege, and with great power comes great responsibility. So text responsibly, and we will all benefit from the power of this remarkable technology!