Compliance and Regulations: Navigating SMS Short Code Laws
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 6:10 am
In many jurisdictions, it’s both a best practice and a legal requirement that businesses should only send text messages to customers who have specifically opted into that service. Statutes governing the use of SMS and Short Codes vary by region. So if your business operates in multiple jurisdictions, it’s worth being aware of the regulations and compliance regimes that apply in each of these areas.
SMS marketing within the ghana whatsapp number data US is primarily regulated by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Among the principal requirements is that marketers must obtain explicit consent from the recipients before sending out commercial SMS messages. Each message must also provide a clear and easy way for recipients to opt out of receiving future communications. In terms of content, SMS messages must not contain anything misleading or deceptive.
Note also that businesses in the US that rely on 10 Digit Long Code or 10DLC number formats for sending their SMS communications need to register their campaigns with the appropriate carriers, and adhere to guidelines set out by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).
In Canada, the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) governs SMS marketing. Among the key requirements of the law is that marketers must obtain express or implied consent from their recipients before sending out commercial electronic messages (which includes SMS). Business SMS messages must also contain clear sender identification, along with the sender’s contact information. As in the US, recipients must be able to easily opt out of receiving further messages.
If your organization operates within Europe, or if you have customers resident within the European Union (EU), then the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive will apply to your business SMS communications. Under these regulations, marketers must be able to demonstrate that they have a lawful basis (such as customer consent or a legitimate interest) for processing personal data in SMS marketing. Recipients must opt in before receiving SMS marketing messages. In addition, business SMS campaigns must adhere to data protection principles, which include data minimization and data security provision.
SMS marketing within the ghana whatsapp number data US is primarily regulated by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Among the principal requirements is that marketers must obtain explicit consent from the recipients before sending out commercial SMS messages. Each message must also provide a clear and easy way for recipients to opt out of receiving future communications. In terms of content, SMS messages must not contain anything misleading or deceptive.
Note also that businesses in the US that rely on 10 Digit Long Code or 10DLC number formats for sending their SMS communications need to register their campaigns with the appropriate carriers, and adhere to guidelines set out by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).
In Canada, the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) governs SMS marketing. Among the key requirements of the law is that marketers must obtain express or implied consent from their recipients before sending out commercial electronic messages (which includes SMS). Business SMS messages must also contain clear sender identification, along with the sender’s contact information. As in the US, recipients must be able to easily opt out of receiving further messages.
If your organization operates within Europe, or if you have customers resident within the European Union (EU), then the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the ePrivacy Directive will apply to your business SMS communications. Under these regulations, marketers must be able to demonstrate that they have a lawful basis (such as customer consent or a legitimate interest) for processing personal data in SMS marketing. Recipients must opt in before receiving SMS marketing messages. In addition, business SMS campaigns must adhere to data protection principles, which include data minimization and data security provision.