When you are registering an SMS campaign with SpectrumVoIP, the SMS campaign registry form will ask for a description of your SMS campaign, sample messages, and a link to your website. While your website is being vetted, the Privacy Policy shown on your website will be checked to ensure it includes important information that informs your customers how they can opt-in and opt-out of SMS messages. The Privacy Policy page of the website will also need to include information that informs consumers how your business protects the information provided to you when an end-user opts in for SMS messages.

To ensure your SMS campaign registration is completed and verified efficiently, it is recommended to do the following:

Website Privacy Policy

Make sure that your website's Privacy Policy includes a detailed description of the opt-in process for end-users and a section detailing how your company protects its users' data.

• The Privacy Policy should include a description about SMS messaging that includes the following information:
  • Texting cadence.
    • What types of messages will they be receiving?
    • How frequently will the consumer receive messages?
  • How the consumer is consenting.
  • Clear, easy to follow opt-in and opt-out instructions.
  • Message and data rate notices.
  • Link to a Privacy Policy.
• The Privacy Policy must include a disclaimer that no mobile opt-in will be shared with third parties for marketing purposes:
  “[Name of your organization/company] maintains strict privacy policies, ensuring that personal information of our users and members is not sold, rented, released, or traded to other parties.”
• It is recommended to keep a detailed list of customers who have opted in for text messages from your company.

Accurate Business and Campaign Description

Provide a clear, accurate description of your business and the SMS campaign in the SMS campaign registration form. 
Include the following information:

• Type of business.
• Disclose the frequency of your messaging.
• It must be clearly stated if donations are being collected.
  • The statement “Donations will be secured through ____ and Accreditation listing is _____” should be provided.
• What kind of messages you plan on sending for this campaign.
• The context of your messages.
• Who your subscribers are.

Call-to-Action (CTA) Disclosure

Explain the Opt-In process for end-users in a Call-to-Action (CTA) disclosure and provide examples of how your end-users can consent to SMS messages with easy-to-follow opt-in instructions. 

“By providing your phone number, you agree to receive SMS (text) messages from [Name of your organization/company]. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply with HELP to receive more information. Reply with STOP to unsubscribe at any time. [Provide a link to your Privacy Policy web page]”

• Your CTA disclosure should include the following information:
  • Brand name
  • Types of messages being sent. (e.g., appointment reminders, promotional messages, etc.)
  • Message and data rate notices. (i.e., “Message and data rates may apply”)
  • Frequency of messages being sent. (e.g., Messaging frequency varies, 2 messages per week, etc.)
  • HELP information (text HELP for help)
  • STOP/opt-out information (text STOP to stop)
  • Link to your Privacy Policy and terms & Conditions.
• Provide the specific link, written form, or screenshot of the CRM used to collect opt-ins.
• Forced opt-ins are prohibited.
  • Fields for entering a phone number cannot be required on the website where opt-in is collected. This field must be optional.
• If Verbal Opt-in is collected, please add the script that describes the opt-in process.
• The Call to Action may only apply to text messaging. 
  • If emails or voice calls are used, a separate opt-in should be collected for the end-user receiving each of these types of communication. 

Sample Message

Provide sample messages that match the description of the campaign with clear, descriptive opt-out language.

• There should be a sample message that would be used for each use case.
• All sample messages must be at least 20 characters long with opt-out language included. 
• Include your business name in at least the first message you send. This can help subscribers identify who is messaging them to help mitigate spam complaints.
• Reference the examples below to view commonly used STOP and HELP messages. 
  

  STOP

  “Reply with “STOP” to unsubscribe from text messages from [Name of organization/company].”

   

   

  Response to STOP

  “We have received your request to stop. You will stop receiving messages from [Name of organization/company]. You may reply with “START” or “UNSTOP” at any time to start receiving messages from us again.”

   

   

  HELP

  "For help, visit our support website at support.example.com or email support@example.com. To opt-out, reply STOP.”