Blocking Political Texts: Taking Back Your Phone

Political text messages are a common issue, especially during election season. In 2024, AT&T was the leading source of consumer messaging complaints, with 74 of the top 100 most complained-about phone numbers linked to political campaigns. While legitimate political campaigns are required to obtain prior express consent for sending autodialed texts, many consumers still receive unsolicited political texts. These messages can be disruptive and frustrating, and some may even be scams attempting to steal personal information or money. To stop political texts, individuals can reply STOP, block the number, or forward the text to 7726 or SPAM. Additionally, AT&T is preparing to roll out Rich Communications Services (RCS), an advanced messaging protocol that will enhance the control and management of political messaging through improved filtering and moderation features.

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Report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726

If you are receiving spam texts, you can forward them to 7726 (SPAM on most keypads). This will alert your cellular provider to open an investigation on the contents of the message. In Canada, reporting spam to 7726 is free and will not count towards your data or messaging usage package.

• Long-press on the spam message. Tap and hold the spam message and additional options will appear. Be sure not to reply or tap any of the links in the message when doing this.
• Tap "Forward". This will copy the message's text into a new text message.
• Type 7726 as the recipient. In the "To" field, enter 7726 as the recipient. 7726 is the shortcode for the GSMA's Spam Reporting Service.
• Tap "Send". The option may differ depending on what messaging app you are using. Sending the text message reports the spam message to the GSMA's Spam Reporting Service program. Your phone carrier may respond and ask for the number associated with that text. Reply with the number that sent the spam.

Additionally, you can also report unwanted text messages by contacting the sender directly and asking them to remove you from their list. If they do not comply, you can report them to the FCC.

File a complaint with the FCC

If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you can file a complaint with the FCC. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Understanding the Issue

Before filing a complaint, it's important to know that campaign phone calls and text messages are generally exempt from the federal Do Not Call list. However, political campaigns must follow specific FCC restrictions when reaching out to potential voters. These restrictions are outlined in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Step 2: Trying Initial Remedies

Before involving the FCC, you can take a few simple steps to reduce the number of political texts you receive. Firstly, if a text message includes an option to unsubscribe, such as replying "STOP," take advantage of that opportunity. This should remove you from their contact list. Additionally, you can change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders, ensuring that these messages don't clutter your main inbox.

Step 3: Gathering Information

If you still continue to receive unwanted political texts, it's time to gather information for your FCC complaint. Make sure you have details about the specific text messages you're receiving, including the sender's information, the content of the messages, and the frequency with which they are being sent. Take note of any requests you've made to be removed from their contact list, especially if they are ignoring your opt-out requests.

Step 4: Filing the Complaint

Now, you can proceed to file a formal complaint with the FCC. The FCC provides multiple options for filing a complaint:

• Online: Visit fcc.gov/complaints to file your complaint online. This is the quickest and most effective method.
• Phone: Call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) to file your complaint over the phone.
• Mail: If you prefer a more traditional approach, you can send a letter to the following address:

Federal Communications Commission

Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division

45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554

Remember to include your name, address, contact information, and as many details about your complaint as possible.

Step 5: Understanding the Outcome

It's important to note that the FCC may not have the authority to resolve every individual complaint. However, by submitting a detailed complaint, the FCC can provide additional resources and guide you through possible next steps, including directing you to other agencies with jurisdiction over your specific issue. Your complaint also contributes to federal enforcement and consumer protection efforts, helping the FCC identify trends and track the issues that matter most.

Contact your cellphone provider for advice

If you are receiving unwanted political text messages, you can contact your cellphone provider for advice on how to stop them. While this may not be the most effective method, it can be a good starting point, and they may be able to offer specific advice tailored to your situation.

Firstly, you should ask your cellphone provider to check if there are any built-in features on your phone that can help block these messages. For example, iPhone users can go to the Settings app, tap Messages, scroll down, and select Filter Unknown Senders. This will sort messages from people who aren't in your contact list into a separate list. For Android users, open the Messages app Settings, select Spam Protection, and then Enable Spam Protection. Note that the steps may vary depending on the specific Android phone you have.

Additionally, your cellphone provider may suggest changing your phone settings to filter out all unknown senders. This can be a helpful way to reduce the clutter in your text inbox, but it may also cause you to miss important text reminders from unknown numbers, such as those for doctor's appointments or restaurant reservations.

If you have tried these steps and are still receiving unwanted political texts, you can ask your cellphone provider for further advice. They may suggest replying with "STOP" to the messages, as legitimate text campaign operators should remove you from their list if you do so. You can also report messages that you didn't sign up to receive as spam by forwarding them to 7726. If the issue persists, you can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

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Block unknown senders in your phone settings

If you're tired of receiving political texts, you can block unknown senders in your phone settings. Here's how you can do it:

For iPhone Users:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Tap on "Apps" or "Messages". If you tap on "Apps", then select "Messages" from the list of apps.
• Tap on "Messages" Settings.
• Scroll down and select "Filter Unknown Senders".
• Turn on the toggle for "Filter Unknown Senders".

Alternatively, you can also enable "Spam Protection". Here's how:

• Open the Messages app and tap on your profile icon in the top-right corner.
• Tap on "Messages" Settings.
• Scroll down and tap on "Spam Protection".
• Turn on the "Enable Spam Protection" toggle.

For Android Users:

• Open the Messages app.
• Tap on the three-dot menu icon or the hamburger icon, depending on your phone model.
• Go to "Settings" or "Spam Protection". If you see "Spam Protection", select that option.
• Select "Enable Spam Protection" or "Block Unknown Senders", depending on your phone model.

Additional Tips:

• You can also report spam messages by forwarding them to 7726.
• If the message includes an "unsubscribe" or "STOP" option, replying to that may also opt you out of future messages.

Ask the campaign to remove you from their list

If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you can ask the campaign to remove you from their contact list. This is a simple and effective solution to stop unwanted texts from flooding your phone. Here's what you need to do:

First, identify the sender of the text messages. Are they from a legitimate political campaign or a scammer? Legitimate text campaign operators are those who are officially affiliated with a political party, candidate, or cause. They should have a clear message with an opt-out option, such as "reply STOP or unsubscribe." If you receive a text with this option, simply replying "STOP" in all capital letters should remove you from their list. This is a straightforward way to reduce the number of unwanted political texts you receive.

If the sender seems sketchy or you're unsure, it's best not to respond directly. Instead, you can forward the text message to "SPAM" or 7726. This is a system set up by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help combat unwanted political text messages. By forwarding the message to 7726, you are reporting it as spam, and the FCC can take action to block these messages. This method is particularly useful if you're receiving texts from multiple unknown numbers, as you may need to text "STOP" to each individual number.

Additionally, you can contact your cellphone provider to see what options they suggest. Some providers, like AT&T and Verizon, are actively trying to keep track of political campaigns and may have additional tools or advice to help you manage these unwanted texts. While your number may already be on the National Do Not Call list, it's important to note that political calls and texts are often exempt from this restriction.

Taking these steps should significantly reduce the number of political text messages you receive. Remember, if all else fails, you can always contact the campaign directly and request to be removed from their contact list. It's worth noting that these methods may not entirely stop all political texts, but they will help you regain control over your text inbox.

Frequently asked questions