Malcolm Rivera
Political campaigns often use phone calls and text messages to reach out to voters, especially during election season. While these communications can be useful for voters to learn about candidates and their platforms, they can also become a nuisance, with many people reporting unwanted calls and texts from political campaigns. In this article, we will discuss the ways in which individuals can reduce or opt out of receiving political campaign communications, as well as the regulations that govern these types of communications. We will also explore the challenges of stopping scam or fraudulent communications that may be disguised as political campaign messages.
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What You'll Learn
Political campaigns are exempt from the Do Not Call list
However, while political campaigns are exempt from the Do Not Call list, they are still required to follow certain rules and restrictions set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). For example, political campaigns are only allowed to send text messages to mobile phones using autodialer technology if they have the recipient's prior express consent. If consent has not been given, these messages can be reported as spam by forwarding them to 7726.
Similarly, campaigns are required to honor opt-out requests. This means that if you reply "STOP" to a text message or revoke your consent during a voice call, the campaign must stop sending you messages. If a campaign continues to send messages after an opt-out request has been made, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC.
In addition to the above, there are also rules regarding the frequency of calls. Political campaigns are limited to no more than three calls to a residential landline phone within any consecutive 30-day period, even if prior consent has not been given.
It is important to note that these rules only apply to legitimate political campaigns. Scammers may also send texts or make calls that appear to be from a campaign or candidate, and these messages can be harder to stop. It is recommended that you do not click on any links in texts from unknown senders, as they may contain malware or direct you to fraudulent websites. Instead, you can block the number or filter out text messages from unknown senders in your phone settings.
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Political robocalls to landlines do not require prior consent
Political robocalls and text messages are a common occurrence during election season. While they are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, they must follow specific rules outlined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Political campaigns are allowed to make robocalls to landlines without prior consent. However, there is a limit of no more than three calls within any consecutive 30-day period. Additionally, the caller must honor the called party's request to revoke consent, which can be done at any time and in any reasonable manner, such as replying "stop" or asking not to be called again.
It is important to note that political text messages sent to mobile phones using an autodialer do require the prior express consent of the recipient. Manually sent text messages can be sent without prior consent. If you are receiving unwanted political text messages, you can report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 ("SPAM") and blocking the number. You can also go to your phone settings and filter out text messages from unknown contacts.
Political robocalls that use artificial voice or prerecorded voice messages must include certain identification information. The identity of the individual or entity making the call must be clearly stated at the beginning of the message, along with their telephone number, provided either during or after the message. If the caller is a corporate entity, its official business name must be stated clearly.
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Political campaigns must honour opt-out requests
Political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. However, political campaigns must follow specific rules, including obtaining prior consent from the called party. While political campaigns can autodial landline phones without prior consent, they must honour opt-out requests.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) outlines specific rules that political campaigns must follow. Political campaigns generally need prior consent to send text messages or make calls to mobile phones. This consent can be given manually or through an autodialer. If you receive unwanted political text messages, you can report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 or "SPAM". It is important to note that legitimate text campaign operators should remove you from their list if you reply with "STOP".
Additionally, political campaigns are limited in the number of calls they can make to landlines without prior consent. For calls and texts that require consent, the caller must honour the called party's request to revoke consent at any time and in any reasonable manner. This includes replying "stop" to a text or asking not to be called again on a voice call.
To further reduce unwanted political messages, you can set your smartphone to filter unknown numbers or block specific numbers. You can also contact the campaign directly and ask to be removed from their contact list. It is important to exercise caution when responding to suspicious messages to avoid becoming a target for scammers.
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Manually sent text messages do not require prior consent
Political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. However, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules they must follow. In general, robocalls and robotexts to mobile phones require prior consent.
Political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the called party's prior express consent. However, messages sent manually can be sent without prior consent. This is because manually sent text messages are not considered robotexts.
If you are receiving texts that you didn't ask for, you can report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 ("SPAM"). You can also block the number and filter out text messages from anyone not in your contact list. Campaigns should also honor opt-out requests if you reply "STOP".
It is important to note that the TCPA defines spam text messages as any "unsolicited advertisement" that communicates the commercial availability of a product, good, or service without prior express approval or permission. Fines for violating the TCPA can be severe, ranging from $500 per violation to $1,500 per willful violation. Therefore, it is essential to obtain clear and explicit consent from users before sending them SMS messages. This can be done through a double opt-in process, where the user confirms their consent through a web form or text keyword.
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Report unwanted political text messages by forwarding to 7726 or SPAM
Political campaign calls and texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. However, if you are tired of receiving unwanted political text messages, you can report them by forwarding them to 7726 or SPAM.
In the United States, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules that political campaigns must follow. Political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the called party's prior express consent. Messages sent manually can be sent without prior consent. If you are receiving texts that you didn't ask for, you can report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 or SPAM. This will alert your cellular provider to open an investigation into the contents of the message.
Campaigns should also honor opt-out requests if you reply "STOP." If you think you've received a political text that does not comply with the FCC's rules, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints. You can also contact your cellular provider directly if you have questions about the reporting process.
To forward a phishing message on an iOS device, tap the message to open the conversation view. From the conversation view, press and hold the message you want to forward until a menu prompt appears. From the menu prompt, select "More..." to present a checklist for messages to select for forwarding. Select any additional messages to include and then tap the arrow icon in the bottom right corner to create a new message draft. Enter 7726 in the "To:" field and press send.
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Frequently asked questions
Political campaign phone calls and texts are exempt from the Do Not Call list. However, if you are receiving texts that you didn't ask for, you can report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 or "SPAM". Campaigns should also honor opt-out requests if you reply "STOP".
After replying "STOP", block the number. You can also go to your phone settings and filter out text messages from anyone not in your contact list.
Go directly to the candidate's official website.
