Simone Lawson
Political text messages are a common occurrence, especially during election seasons. These texts can be annoying and disruptive, and many people are looking for ways to block or stop receiving them. While it is challenging to entirely prevent political texts, there are several methods to reduce their frequency. Some suggestions include replying with STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE, adjusting message settings to filter unknown senders, using spam filter apps or call-blocking services, and reporting campaigns that violate auto-dialing rules. It's important to note that blocking individual numbers may not be effective as senders can easily switch to different numbers. Additionally, political campaigns may access your information and phone number through voter records and various online platforms.
How to prevent political texts:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use a spam filter app | Malwarebytes, Robokiller, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. |
| Reply to the sender | "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE" |
| Block the number | Go to the info part of the text message |
| Filter messages from unknown senders | Go to Settings, then Messages, and turn on "Filter Unknown Senders" |
| Report scams | Forward the text to "7726" or report to Apple/FCC |
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What You'll Learn
Use a spam filter app or call-blocking service like Robokiller
If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages and calls, you can use a spam filter app or call-blocking service like Robokiller to take back control of your phone. Here's how:
Robokiller is an award-winning app that blocks spam phone calls and text messages, including those from political campaigns. It offers a powerful, anonymized SMS-blocking algorithm that eliminates up to 99% of spam texts and calls. The app employs an unbiased, learning-based approach to understanding political message trends and uses machine learning to protect you from known phone scams.
Robokiller's global database of 1.4 billion analyzed calls instantly identifies and blocks unwanted callers. With Answer Bots, the app fights bots with bots, sending spammers to clever recordings that you can listen to later. This feature adds a layer of fun to the frustrating experience of receiving spam calls and texts, allowing you to get creative with your revenge.
The app is easy to use and highly effective. You can use it as your primary messaging app, seamlessly sending and receiving messages while blocking spam, scam, and telemarketing texts. It also allows you to customize your blocklist, giving you control over who can and can't reach you. With over 11 million downloads in the United States, Robokiller has been featured in renowned publications and received awards for its performance.
To get started, simply download the Robokiller app from the App Store or Google Play Store. You can try it for free to experience the peace of mind that comes with blocking unwanted spam calls and texts. So, whether you're being bombarded with political messages or falling victim to costly scams, Robokiller can help you reclaim your phone and protect your privacy.
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Reply stop or “unsubscribe” to the sender
If you're tired of receiving political text messages, there are a few things you can do to try and stop them. Firstly, you can try replying "STOP", “END”, “CANCEL”, or "UNSUBSCRIBE" to the sender. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), legitimate campaigns should honour opt-out requests. However, this method may not always be effective, as political campaigns often use multiple phone numbers to send texts.
Another option is to block the sender. On iPhones, you can do this by opening the Messages app, tapping and holding the message, and selecting the "Block" option. On Android devices, the process may vary slightly, but you can usually find the “Block” option in the menu that appears when you tap and hold the message.
In addition to these steps, you can also report unwanted political text messages as spam by forwarding them to 7726. This method is recommended by the FCC and can be used to report unsolicited texts that you did not sign up to receive. You can also file a complaint online through the FCC's website if you believe the texts are violating FCC rules.
If you're using an iPhone, you may find it challenging to block political text messages effectively. Apple does not currently offer a configurable filter for these types of messages. As a result, you may need to explore other options, such as contacting your carrier to discuss possible solutions or considering a different mobile platform that offers more control over spam blocking.
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Filter unknown senders on iPhone or enable spam protection on Android
If you're tired of receiving endless political texts and calls, there are ways to block them. Here are some methods to filter unknown senders on iPhones or enable spam protection on Android devices:
Filter Unknown Senders on iPhone
To filter unknown senders on your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages. Tap "Blocked Contacts", and you can either unblock a previously blocked number by swiping left on the number and tapping "Unblock", or you can add new contacts or numbers to the block list by scrolling down and tapping "Add New".
You can also go to the Messages app, tap on a conversation, and then tap the name or number at the top. Tap "Info", scroll down, and then tap "Block this Caller".
Additionally, you can turn on the "Filter Unknown Senders" setting by going to Settings > Messages. This will help filter out spam texts from unknown senders.
Enable Spam Protection on Android
For Android devices, the Caller ID and spam protection feature is typically enabled by default. It provides information about unknown callers and businesses while warning about potential spam calls. To ensure it's turned on, open the Phone app, tap the three dots menu, select "Settings", then turn on "Caller ID and spam protection". You can also choose to block spam and scam calls by tapping "Block numbers".
You can also download third-party apps such as Avast Mobile Security, which is a dedicated security app for Android that can detect threats and scams in real time. It also alerts you if your personal information has been exposed.
Other Options
Another simple way to stop receiving political texts is by replying to the sender with the word "STOP". If it's not a scammer, they should remove you from their list. Additionally, you can check with your carrier to see if they offer any robocall-blocking features.
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Report the sender to the FCC if they're violating the auto-dialing rule
If you are receiving political text messages that you didn't ask for or didn't consent to, you can report the sender to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for violating the auto-dialing rule. According to FCC guidelines, political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the recipient's prior express consent. If you haven't given consent, you can report the sender by forwarding the text to 7726 or simply typing "SPAM".
Additionally, campaigns should honor opt-out requests if you reply "STOP" to their text messages. If you continue to receive unsolicited political text messages, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints. You can also contact the FCC by mail, providing your name, address, contact information, and as many details about your complaint as possible. Here is the address:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554
It is important to note that while campaign calls and texts are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, they must still comply with specific rules outlined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and enforced by the FCC. These rules include obtaining prior consent for autodialed or prerecorded voice calls and texts to mobile phones, with certain exceptions for landline phones.
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Block the number and delete the conversation
If you're tired of receiving political texts, you can block the number and delete the conversation. Here's how to do it:
Blocking the Number
The process of blocking a number varies depending on your device and service provider. Here are some general steps and tips:
- Smartphones: Most smartphones allow you to block numbers directly from your call history or contact list. Open your recent calls, find the number you want to block, and look for an option to block the caller. You can also add numbers to your contacts and then block them from your contact list.
- Carrier-Specific Options: Major carriers like Verizon offer additional blocking options. For example, you can use the "Call and Message Blocking" feature in the My Verizon app or online to block calls and texts from specific numbers.
- Third-Party Apps: There are apps designed specifically to block unwanted calls and texts, such as Robokiller, Nomorobo, and Do Not Respond. These apps can be useful for blocking telemarketers, robocallers, and text spammers.
- National Do Not Call Registry: To reduce unwanted sales and marketing calls, you can register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov. This will not prevent political texts, but it can help decrease the overall number of unwanted calls.
Deleting the Conversation
The ability to delete a conversation depends on the messaging platform you're using. Here are some general tips:
- Google Chat: In Google Chat, you can hide or delete 1:1 direct messages. To delete a conversation, tap on the person's name at the top of the conversation and then select "Delete Conversation." Confirm by tapping "Delete" again.
- Facebook Messenger: In Facebook Messenger, you can only delete a conversation for yourself. The other participant will still be able to access it unless they also delete it from their end. You can also "unsend" specific messages for everyone or just for yourself.
- Intercom: In Intercom, there is no built-in way to delete or archive a conversation. One possible workaround is to use the "Delete a Conversation" call in the Unstable version of their REST API.
- Custom Actions: In some cases, you may be able to use custom actions or workflows to delete conversations, especially in help desk or customer support platforms.
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