Isabella Carter
Political text messages are becoming an increasingly common way for campaigns to reach voters and solicit donations. In October 2020, Americans received over 13 billion texts related to campaigns. While these texts can be annoying, they can also be dangerous, sometimes containing links to malware or fraudulent websites. If you want to block Republican texts, there are several methods you can use. You can forward the text to 7726, which spells SPAM, or you can reply with STOP, STOPALL, ENDALL, or CANCEL. If you're an iPhone user, you can filter unknown senders by going to Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders. For Android users, you can block numbers by going to the Messages app and following the on-screen instructions. Additionally, you can register your phone number on the national Do Not Call list at donotcall.gov, although this may not always be effective for political texts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political campaign-related autodialed or prerecorded voice calls | Prohibited to cell phones, pagers, or other mobile devices without the called party's prior express consent |
| Political campaign-related autodialed or prerecorded voice calls | Permitted when made to landline telephones, even without prior express consent |
| Political robocalls to landlines | Allowed without prior consent, but limited to no more than three calls within any consecutive 30-day period |
| Political robocalls and texts | Exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements |
| Political robocalls and texts | Must follow specific rules under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) |
| Reporting unwanted political texts | Forward to SPAM, or 7726 |
| Opting out of political texts | Reply STOP, STOPALL, ENDALL, CANCEL, or unsubscribe |
| Filtering unknown senders on iPhone | Navigate to Settings, select "Messages" from the menu, and toggle on the "Filter Unknown Senders" option |
| Blocking numbers on Android | Navigate to the Messages app, choose the text from the number you want to block, and tap the option for blocking the number |
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What You'll Learn
Block and report scam numbers
If you're tired of receiving political text messages, you're not alone. In October 2020, Americans received over 13 billion texts related to campaigns. While campaign calls and texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules they must follow. For instance, political campaigns are prohibited from sending autodialed or pre-recorded voice calls, including autodialed live calls, autodialed texts, and pre-recorded voice messages, to cell phones, pagers, or other mobile devices without the called party's prior express consent.
If you're receiving political text messages from unknown numbers, you can try to filter them on your iPhone by going to Settings, selecting "Messages" from the menu, and toggling on the "Filter Unknown Senders" option. On Android devices, you can block specific numbers by opening the Messages app, choosing the text from the number you want to block, and following the steps to block the number. You can also enable spam protection in your Message app Settings.
If you're receiving texts from a legitimate campaign number, you can opt out by replying "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE." However, if you suspect the number is from a scammer, it's better to block and report the number because replying will let them know your number is active. You can forward the text to SPAM, or 7726, and then file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Include as much information as possible, such as the number that received the call, the number on your caller ID, any number they told you to call back, and the date and time of the call.
In addition to built-in phone features, there are also third-party call-blocking apps available for download. Google offers the Phone by Google app, which helps users avoid unwanted calls from spammers, telemarketers, and scammers. Samsung offers a similar solution called Smart Call. You can also register your phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY).
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Filter unknown senders
If you're tired of receiving political text messages from unknown numbers, you can filter them on your iPhone or Android device. While you can't block texts from unknown numbers on an iPhone, you can filter them by following these steps:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Scroll down and select "Messages".
- Toggle on the "Filter Unknown Senders" option.
This will send messages from unknown numbers to a separate list or folder, allowing you to focus on messages from known senders. You can always review messages from unknown senders when you have the time.
If you're using an Android device, you can block numbers directly from the Messages app. Simply open the message from the sender you want to block, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and select "Block number". You can also enable spam protection in your Message app settings to filter out unwanted messages.
Additionally, if you receive a message from a political organization, you can opt out by replying with keywords like "STOP," "STOPALL," "ENDALL," or "CANCEL." This will prompt them to remove you from their contact list. However, if you suspect the number is from a scammer, it's best to block and report the number without replying, as responding can indicate that your number is active.
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Opt-out with 'STOP'
If you're tired of receiving political text messages, you can opt out by texting STOP. This is because, in general, robocalls and robotexts to mobile phones require prior consent. While campaign calls and texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules they must follow.
Political campaigns are prohibited from sending autodialed or pre-recorded voice calls, including autodialed live calls, autodialed texts, and pre-recorded voice messages to cell phones, pagers, or other mobile devices without the called party's prior express consent. If you receive such messages without giving prior consent, you can opt out by texting STOP.
If the political organization messaging you is using texting software, they should have asked you to opt in before sending a text. In such cases, they must remove you from their contact list once you send them a special keyword, such as STOP, STOPALL, ENDALL, or CANCEL. Their texting software will likely remove you automatically.
If you're an iPhone user, you can filter out messages from unknown senders by navigating to Settings, selecting "Messages" from the menu, and toggling on the "Filter Unknown Senders" option. This will sort messages from people who aren't in your contact list into a separate list. Unfortunately, you can't block texts from unknown numbers on iPhones, but this filtering feature ensures that you don't see messages from unknown senders in your main inbox.
On Android devices, you can block numbers directly. Open the Messages app, choose the text from the number you want to block, and follow the steps to block the number. You can also enable spam protection in the Messages app Settings to filter out unwanted messages.
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Contact the campaign
If you're receiving unwanted text messages from a Republican campaign or organization, you can try to contact them directly to request that they stop sending you messages. Here are some steps you can take to contact the campaign and request to opt out of their text messages:
Identify the Sender:
Before you can contact the campaign, you need to identify the sender of the text messages. Usually, political text messages will include the name of the campaign, organization, or candidate they are promoting. Look for any signatures or closing information at the end of the text message or any reply instructions provided.
3. Look for an Opt-Out Mechanism:
Before contacting them directly, check the text message thread to see if there is an opt-out mechanism provided within the message. Sometimes, political text messages will include instructions on how to unsubscribe or opt out, such as replying "STOP" to the message. Try this method first, as it is usually the quickest and most effective way to stop receiving their texts.
Find Contact Information:
Once you have identified the sender, visit their official website. Most political campaigns and organizations will have a website with a contact page or section that includes contact information.
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Register with Do Not Call
Registering with the National Do Not Call Registry is a good way to reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive. The registry is a list that tells registered telemarketers which numbers not to call. It is important to note that this will not block all calls, and you may still receive calls from scammers. However, businesses and organizations that sell goods and services over the phone must download the registry and remove registered numbers from their calling lists.
To register, you can visit DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. You can register up to three numbers at a time online, and you will receive an email for each number. Open each email and click the link within 72 hours to confirm registration. If you want to register more than three phone numbers, you can simply repeat the process. To register a business phone number or fax line, you will need to call the toll-free number as these numbers cannot be registered online.
It is important to note that political campaign-related autodialed or pre-recorded voice calls and texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. However, these communications must follow specific rules outlined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). For example, political campaigns must obtain your prior express consent before sending autodialed texts to your mobile device. If you receive a political text or robocall that you believe violates FCC rules, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints.
Additionally, you can take steps to block and report unwanted political texts directly on your device. On an iPhone, you can filter unknown senders by navigating to Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders. For Android devices, you can typically block a number by opening the message thread and following the appropriate steps, which may involve selecting the three dots in the top right corner and choosing the "Block number" option.
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Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, you cannot block texts sent by an unknown number on an iPhone. However, you can filter them by enabling the "Filter Unknown Senders" option in your settings. This will send the texts to a new tab called "Unknown Sender".
On Android, you can block whoever you like. To do so, open the Messages app, choose the text from the number you want to block, and tap the option to block the number. You can also enable spam protection in your Message app settings.
If the text includes an option to unsubscribe, reply "STOP" or "ENDALL". You can also contact the campaign and ask them to remove you from their list. If the number is from a scammer, it is better to block and report the number. Additionally, you can add your phone number to the national Do Not Call list.
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