Blocking Political Texts On Android: A Step-By-Step Guide

Political text messages can be annoying and invasive, especially when you didn't sign up for them. In the US, it is legal for political campaigns to send text messages to people who have given their consent, but there are ways to block these messages if you no longer want to receive them. Here are some methods to stop unwanted political texts on your Android device and protect your privacy.

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Replying STOP to unsubscribe

Replying "STOP" to unsubscribe is a simple and effective way to opt out of receiving unwanted text messages. This method is especially useful for legitimate text campaigns, such as political or marketing messages, and is recommended by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). By replying "STOP," you are triggering an automated process that immediately removes your number from the sender's texting database. This ensures that you won't accidentally be added back to the list and receive future messages.

It's important to note that this method may not work for all types of text messages, especially those sent by scammers or spammers. In such cases, you may need to take additional steps to block the sender, such as blocking their number directly or using third-party apps that automatically block known spam numbers.

Additionally, you can enable spam protection on your device to filter messages from unknown senders into a separate folder, reducing interruptions from unwanted texts. This can be done by accessing the settings in your messaging app and toggling on the "Filter Unknown Senders" or "Enable Spam Protection" option.

While replying "STOP" is a straightforward way to unsubscribe, it's worth mentioning that some legitimate senders may require additional steps for unsubscribing. For example, they may provide an Unsubscribe link or ask you to go to their website to complete the process. Always review the sender's instructions, if provided, to ensure a successful unsubscription.

In summary, replying "STOP" is a powerful tool to opt out of unwanted text messages, particularly from legitimate senders. However, for persistent spam or scam messages, additional measures such as blocking numbers or using spam-blocking apps may be necessary.

Blocking the number

If you're tired of receiving annoying political text messages on your Android phone, there are several ways to block the numbers and put a stop to them. Here are the steps you can take:

• Open your Messages app and find the political text message you want to block. Tap and hold the message until a menu appears. Select the "Block" option, which may also be labelled as "Block number" or "Add to Spam". This will prevent future messages from that number.
• Respond with "Stop", "Unsubscribe", "Endall", "Cancel", or "Stopall". These keywords are recognized by legitimate text campaign operators, and they should remove you from their contact list. You may need to send these keywords multiple times if you're receiving messages from various political campaign numbers.
• Contact the campaign's office and request to be removed from their list. This is often effective, as it's typically volunteers sending these messages, and they should honour your request.
• Utilize your Android phone's built-in features to filter messages from unknown senders. Go to your Settings app, scroll down to Messages, and enable "Filter Unknown Senders" or "Spam protection". This will hide the messages from your main inbox, so you won't be disturbed by them.
• Report the messages as spam or junk. You can forward the messages to 7726 (which spells "SPAM" on your keypad) or report them through your carrier's reporting system. This helps identify and block spam messages.
• Use a call-and-text-blocking app: There are apps like Should I Answer?, Hiya, and Truecaller that can help block unwanted calls and texts. However, be mindful that these apps may ask for sensitive information.

By following these steps, you can effectively block political text messages on your Android device and reduce the clutter in your text inbox.

Using call-and-text-blocking apps

If you're tired of receiving annoying political text messages on your Android phone, there are several call-and-text-blocking apps that can help you put a stop to them. These apps are designed to give you control over your phone and protect your privacy from unwanted interruptions. Here are some of the best options:

TrueCaller

TrueCaller is one of the most well-known and highly recommended spam text and call-blocker apps. It's free to use and boasts a range of useful features. TrueCaller automatically identifies and blocks most spam and company numbers, so you never have to worry about dealing with them again. It also allows you to manage and block messages and calls directly within the app, giving you all the protection tools you need in one place. One of its standout features is the ability to auto-block telemarketers and robocalls, ensuring you're not disturbed by unwanted political messages. The app also has global functionality, ensuring that a number marked as spam in one country is recognised as such for users worldwide.

Call Control

Call Control is another popular option with 12 million users worldwide. This app is available for Android and automatically blocks spam calls, including those from telemarketers and robocallers. One of its unique features is the ability to create a personal blocklist, allowing you to customise your protection. It also offers a free reverse-lookup function, enabling you to search for the owner of any number. While Call Control is a paid service, it has excellent reviews on the Google Play Store and App Store. Be sure to check their privacy policy before downloading, as the app does collect some user information.

Mr. Number

Mr. Number is a dialer and spam-blocker app that helps you block unwanted calls and texts from specific numbers, geographic areas, or even entire countries. It's an effective tool for getting rid of telemarketers and also allows you to look up the owner of any number entered into its keypad. Mr. Number also provides alerts for potential fraud calls, so you can avoid answering them altogether. While the app charges a subscription fee, it offers comprehensive protection against spam and unwanted communications.

Call Blocker and SMS Blocker

This app is specifically designed for Android devices and offers a versatile solution to blocking texts and calls. It automatically identifies and blocks spam numbers, and if any of your contacts are accidentally marked as spam, you can easily add them to a Whitelist. One of its unique features is the ability to log blocked messages and calls, so you can always check the content of blocked messages if needed.

CallApp

CallApp is recommended as the best text blocker app for Android phones, and it seamlessly integrates with your default messaging app, WhatsApp, and Viber. This means you can chat with your contacts and block spam numbers without constantly switching between different apps. CallApp also records phone calls and uses advanced AI-based caller identification to filter out spam callers.

By using any of these call-and-text-blocking apps, you can effectively reduce and manage unwanted political text messages on your Android device, ensuring a more peaceful and private mobile experience.

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Filtering out unknown senders

If you're tired of receiving annoying political text messages on your Android phone, there are several ways to filter out unknown senders and take control of your phone again. Here are some methods to try:

Enable Filter Unknown Senders:

• Open the Settings app on your Android device.
• Scroll down and select "Messages".
• Locate the "Filter Unknown Senders" option and toggle it on.

Block Specific Numbers:

• Open the Messages app.
• Find the unwanted political text message.
• Tap and hold the message until a menu appears.
• Select the "Block" option (this may also be labelled as "Block number" or "Add to Spam").
• Alternatively, you can respond with "Stop", "Unsubscribe", or "Cancel" to opt out of future messages from that sender.

Enable Spam Protection:

• Open the Messages app.
• Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
• Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
• Toggle on "Enable spam protection" to filter unknown senders into a separate folder.

Use Third-Party Apps:

Many popular cell phone carriers offer spam-blocking apps with additional features. For example, AT&T's Call Protect app automatically sends unknown callers to voicemail, while Verizon's Call Filter app offers basic spam-blocking. Third-party apps like Robokiller and Aura's Call Assistant provide AI-powered protection against spam text messages and scam calls.

Register for Do Not Call Lists:

Add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry and your carrier's equivalent to reduce unsolicited messages and calls. While political campaign messages are exempt from this requirement, registering can help decrease the number of marketing and spam texts you receive.

By implementing these measures, you can effectively filter out unknown senders and minimise the interruptions caused by unwanted political text messages.

Reporting spam messages

Political text messages can be a nuisance and even pose risks to your privacy. If you're receiving annoying political text messages on your Android phone, there are several ways to block and report them as spam.

Firstly, you can enable spam protection on your device. Go to your Settings app, scroll down and select "Messages", then scroll down again and toggle on "Filter Unknown Senders". You can also enable "Spam Protection" within the Messages app by tapping the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner and selecting "Settings" from the dropdown menu. This will filter messages from unknown senders into a separate folder.

If you're using Google Messages, you can block and report spam by opening the conversation, tapping and holding it, then selecting "Block & Report spam" and pressing "OK". This will send the message to your ""Spam & blocked" folder. Alternatively, you can open the conversation and tap "More options", then "Details", followed by "Block & report spam" and "OK".

You can also report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 ("SPAM") or filing a complaint online with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Replying "STOP", "UNSUBSCRIBE", or "CANCEL" to the message can also opt you out of future communications.

In addition to these methods, you can contact the campaign's office directly to report the message and request to be removed from their contact list. This could help prevent future communications and bring the issue to the campaign's attention, especially if they are not following best practices.

It's important to note that reporting spam texts helps authorities keep track of spam volume and take action to prevent scammers from targeting others. By taking the time to report spam, you can help protect yourself and others from fraud and annoyance.

Frequently asked questions