US compliance & best practices checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you're compliant and following best practices before sending SMS/MMS messages or placing Voice calls to recipients.
Compliance restrictions
- Obtain prior express written consent from customers before sending SMS or MMS messages, or placing voice calls.
- Provide clear and conspicuous disclosures to customers about what they are consenting to and how they can opt-out of being contacted.
- Honor opt-out requests from customers and ensure that opt-out mechanisms are easy to use.
- Do not call customers on the FTC Do-Not-Call List or your internal Do-Not-Call List.
- Avoid sending SMS or MMS messages or making telemarketing calls before 8 AM or after 9 PM in the recipient's time zone, unless express consent has been obtained for such messages to be sent during those hours. Stricter rules may apply per state.
- Respect content restriction to avoid being blocked or additional fines.
Best practices
- Make sure you provide the recipient with value. Don’t send unwanted or unexpected messages.
- Avoid sending messages at a frequency that could be considered excessive or harassing.
- Use accurate and up-to-date contact lists to ensure that messages are going to the correct person.
- Use technology that can identify and block the numbers of recipients who have opted out.
- Train employees and contractors who are involved in SMS/MMS marketing to comply with TCPA and CTIA regulations.
- Keep detailed records of SMS/MMS/Voice marketing activities, including consent and opt-out requests.
- Have an attorney review your SMS/MMS/ Voice marketing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with TCPA and CTIA regulations.