Consent is the cornerstone of SMS compliance. Unlike email marketing, where certain forms of implied consent might be acceptable, SMS marketing requires explicit, written consent from your customers.
What is TCPA?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) establishes mandatory requirements for businesses using SMS and MMS messaging for marketing communications. The fundamental requirement is clear: businesses must obtain explicit written consent before sending automated marketing messages to consumers. This consent must clearly disclose the marketing nature of future communications, specify message types and frequency, and acknowledge that consent is not a condition of purchase. TCPA compliance requires maintaining comprehensive records of consumer consent, including when and how consent was obtained, along with proper documentation of opt-out requests. Businesses must implement clear opt-out mechanisms and immediately honor all consumer requests to discontinue communications. Violations can result in significant penalties, including fines of $500-$1,500 per violation and potential class action litigation. For additional guidance, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) provides supplementary guidelines covering message frequency, content standards, and technical requirements. Organizations should consult legal counsel to ensure their SMS marketing programs fully comply with current TCPA regulations and industry standards. In addition, several states including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee and Washington have passed ‘Mini-TCPA’ laws that are often more strict than the federal TCPA law. It is your responsibility to ensure that when using Privy to send messages to consumers, you understand and are complying with all relevant TCPA regulations and compliance with laws imposed by other jurisdictions.Consent Requirements & Required Consent Language
Privy’s default text opt-in messages include TCPA and CTIA-compliant consent language. We do not allow you to modify this consent language. If you are collecting SMS consent outside of Privy, ensure your consent statement is compliant across all opt-in points:“By providing your phone number, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages from [Company Name]. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply STOP to cancel. View our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.”The language must be clearly visible before submission and cannot be hidden in scrollable text or behind links. Keep the font size legible and ensure the text contrasts with the background. While the exact wording may be adjusted for space constraints, all core elements (consent statement, frequency disclosure, opt-out information, and rate notice) must be preserved.
Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions
You must update the links in your display’s SMS Opt-In disclaimer to match your brand’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. To do this, click directly on the SMS Opt-In disclaimer element in your display, and then paste your brand’s Privacy link and Terms link in the fields on the right:
Quiet Hours
In the US, quiet hours relate to guidance from the TCPA and FCC that suggests text messages should not be sent before 8:00 am and after 9:00 pm in the recipient’s time zone. Some states such as Florida and Washington impose stricter requirements that mandate text messages only be sent between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm in the recipient’s time zone. At Privy, we automatically enforce quiet hours of 8:00am to 8:00pm if we have the recipient’s time zone information. If we do not have the recipient’s time zone information, we conservatively only send when it would be a valid time in all continental US timezones (12:00pm ET to 8:00pm ET). This system helps ensure compliance while simplifying campaign management for merchants. All scheduled messages outside of permitted hours are automatically delayed until the next available sending window.SMS Import Compliance
If you are new to Privy, you may be able to upload a list of SMS subscribers you collected on another platform. These subscribers need to have been collected in a TCPA-compliant manner in order to be uploaded into Privy. Please note that by submitting a list for upload, you certify that you collected subscribers in a TCPA-compliant manner. If you’re not sure, please consult your attorney. To get started, read more about Importing and Managing Contacts.SHAFT Compliance + Prohibited Materials
SMS marketing compliance requires strict adherence to SHAFT guidelines, which prohibit content related to Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. Carriers actively monitor messages and may block content that violates these restrictions. At this time, Privy is unable to support SMS marketing for brands who sell items that fall within any SHAFT category. Brands that sell alcohol and adhere to specific CTIA requirements (including age-verifying both on the website and in the SMS thread) are able to promote their brand via SMS marketing. Certain materials and content are prohibited from being sent via SMS. Please ensure you follow our Acceptable Use Policy, as this is agreed upon in our Terms and Conditions when you first sign up for an account with Privy.Blocked and Restricted Words in SMS Marketing
Discover restricted language that could lead to SMS delivery issues. Some content categories are banned or restricted by carriers, who use keyword searches to monitor messages and sometimes catch unrelated ones by mistake. To help protect your deliverability, we’ve compiled a list of words likely to trigger filtering. We strongly discourage using these in your SMS campaigns. Questions? Reach out to support@privy.com.See all banned words
See all banned words
- 420
- 100MGs
- 2GMs
- 4/20
- A Voice for Men
- AC Skins
- Acapulco Gold
- ACT for America
- ACTBAC NC
- Affirmative Right
- Afghan Kush
- Alex R. Linder
- ALIPAC
- All Scripture Baptist Church
- Alliance Defending Freedom
- American Border Patrol
- American Christian Dixie Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- American College of Pediatricians
- American Defense Skinheads
- American Family Association
- American Freedom Alliance
- American Freedom Defense Initiative
- American Identity Movement
- American Immigration Control Foundation
- American Nazi Party
- American Patriots USA
- American Public Policy Alliance
- American Renaissance
- Americans for Immigration Control
- Americans for Legal Immigration
- Americans for Truth About Homosexuality
- Antelope Hill Publishing
- Anthony A. Pierpont
- anti-muslim
- Arktos Media
- arousal
- Aryan Nations – Church of Jesus Christ Christian
- ATLAH Media Network
- Atomwaffen Division
- AZ Patriots
- Barnes Review
- beaner
- BeaSSt Productions
- Bible Believers Fellowship
- Billy Joe Roper II
- bitch
- Black Metal Cult Records
- Blood and Honour Social Club
- Blood River Radio
- blow job
- blowjob
- Blue Dream
- Bomb Islam
- boner
- boners
- bong
- boob
- boobies
- boobs
- booby
- Boyd D. Cathey
- Brass Monkey
- Bruce Alan Breeding
- Bryant Calvert Cecchini
- Bubba Kush
- Bureau on American Islamic Relations
- busty
- buttplug
- c-0-c-k
- C-FAM
- c.0.c.k
- c.o.c.k
- c0ck
- Californians for Population Stabilization
- cameltoe
- Campus Ministry USA
- CandyLand
- Cannabinoids
- cannabis
- cannabis
- Cannabutter
- Carolynyeager.net
- CBD
- CBD
- Chalcedon Foundation
- Charles J. Juba
- Charles Martel Society
- ChemDog
- chinc
- chincs
- ching chong
- chink
- Christ the King Reformed Church
- Christian Action Network
- Christian Revival Center
- Christogenea
- Chronic
- Church Militant
- Church of Israel
- Church of the Ku Klux Klan
- Church of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- Citizens for National Security
- cl1t
- Clayton R. Douglas
- clit
- clitoris
- clitorus
- clits
- cock
- Colchester Collection
- Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform
- Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust
- Concentrates
- Concerned Christian Citizens
- Confederate 901
- Confederate Hammerskins
- coon
- coonass
- Council of Conservative Citizens
- Counter Jihad Coalition
- Counter-Currents Publishing
- Covenant People’s Ministry
- cracker
- Creativity Alliance
- Crew 38
- Cultures in Context Incorporated/Turning Point Project
- cummin
- cumming
- cumshot
- cumshots
- cumslut
- cunilingus
- cunnilingus
- Cursus Honorum Foundation
- D. James Kennedy Ministries
- d1ck
- d1ildo
- d1ld0
- Dab
- Dab Rig
- dabbing
- Dabs
- Dagga
- Daily Stormer
- David Horowitz Freedom Center
- David Lane
- David Martin Pringle
- dawgie-style
- Devil’s Lettuce
- devils lettuce
- DHL
- diddle
- Die Auserwahlten
- dike
- dildo
- Dixie Republic
- DNVF Records
- doggie-style
- doggy-style
- Doobie
- Dosage
- Dronabinol
- Drugs
- Dustin Inman Society
- dyke
- East Coast Knights of the True Invisible Empire
- Edgar J. Steele
- Edible
- edibles
- Edibles
- Edibls
- ejaculate
- Elisha H. Strom
- erection
- Erich J. Gliebe
- erotic
- Euro Folk Radio
- Exalted Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- Exodus/Americanus
- explode
- f-buddy
- f-u-c-k
- f.u.c.k
- f*ck
- fack
- fag
- fagg
- fagged
- faggit
- faggot
- fagot
- fags
- faig
- faigt
- Faith Baptist Church
- Faithful Word Baptist Church
- Family Research Council
- Family Research Institute
- Family Watch International
- featherwood
- Federation for American Immigration Reform
- FEDEX
- felch
- felcher
- felching
- fellate
- fellatio
- nFellowship of God’s Covenant People
- feltch
- Fight White Genocide
- fire works
- fireworks
- Firm 22
- First Works Baptist Church
- fisted
- fisting
- fisty
- Fitzgerald Griffin Foundation
- Florida Family Association
- Floridians for Immigration Enforcement
- Folkish Resistance Movement
- Folks Front
- Fortress of Faith
- Foundation for Advocating Christian Truth
- Foundation for Economic Liberty, Inc.
- FPOG
- Fruity Pebbles
- fuck
- fucked
- fuckin
- fucking
- fuk
- fvck
- fxck
- g-spot
- G416 Patriots
- Ganja
- gigolo
- Glasov Gang Productions
- Global Faith Institute
- Global Minority Initiative
- Global Patriot Radio
- GLP
- GLP-1
- goatfucker
- Golden Goat
- Golden State Skinheads
- gook
- gooks
- Gordon Lee Baum
- Gorilla Glue
- Grams
- Granddaddy Purple
- green crack
- gspot
- gummies
- Gummies
- Gummiez
- Gummy
- H.L. Mencken Club
- hammerskins
- handjob
- Harold C. Turner
- Harold Ray Redfeairn
- Hash
- Hash
- Hash Oil
- Hashish
- Heirs to the Confederacy
- Help Save Maryland
- Hemp
- HFFH
- High Times
- hitler
- Honorable Sacred Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- HopHead
- horniness
- horny
- HSN
- humping
- Hydroponic
- hymen
- Identity Dixie
- Illinois Family Institute
- Immigration Reform Law Institute
- Imperial Klans of America of the Ku Klux Klan
- Independent History & Research
- Indica
- Institute for Historical Review
- International Conservative Community
- International Keystone Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- International Organization for the Family
- Irie
- ISD Records/NS88 Video
- J. Miichael Hill
- j3rk0ff
- James P. Wickstrom
- jap
- japs
- Jays
- Jean Carlos Migar
- Jean-Philippe Rushton
- JeanCarlosMigar
- Jeffrey S Schoep
- jerk0ff
- jerkoff
- Jihad Watch
- jiz
- jizm
- John Thomas Cripps
- Joint
- Joints
- Kenneth J. Schmidt
- Keystone United
- Kief
- Kief
- kike
- Kingdom Identity Ministries
- KKK
- klan
- Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- kooch
- kooches
- kootch
- Koschertified?
- ku klux klan
- Kush
- Kush
- kushagram
- KUSHRUSH
- kushzone
- kyke
- LA Confidential
- labia
- lakush
- Last Chance Patriots
- League of the South
- Legal Immigrants for America
- Legion of St. Ambrose
- Lemonati
- Liberty Baptist Church
- Liberty Counsel
- Liquid Concentrates
- livesex
- Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- Magical Butter
- Malik Zulu Shabazz
- marijuana
- Mark E. Weber
- Mass Resistance
- masterbate
- masterbating
- masterbation
- masturbate
- masturbating
- Maui Wowie
- Meds
- Melody Mackey LaRue
- MGs
- Micetrap Distribution
- Milligrams
- Mission to Israel
- Mission: America
- mmj
- Moon Rocks
- Moonkrieg Division
- MoonRocks
- Morris L. Gulett
- MSR Productions
- munchies
- Narvana
- Nation of Islam
- National Alliance
- National Justice Party
- National Policy Institute
- National Reformation Party
- National Social Club
- National Socialist Charitable Coalition
- National Socialist German Workers Party
- National Socialist Liberation Front
- National Socialist Movement
- National Socialist Order
- Nationalist Women’s Front
- Nazi
- nazism
- nneo-confederate
- neo-nazi
- New Albion
- New Century Foundation
- New Jersey European Heritage Association
- New Order
- nig
- nigger
- niggie
- niglet
- Ninja Fruit
- nipple
- Noble Klans of America
- nooky
- Nordic Order Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- Northern Lights
- Northwest Front
- Northwest Hammerskins
- NS Publications
- NSC 131
- Nuggets
- Nugs
- nympho
- Occidental Dissent
- Occidental Observer
- Occidental Quarterly
- oral sex
- Order of the Ku Klux Klan
- Oregonians for Immigration Reform
- orgasm
- orgasmic
- orgasms
- orgies
- orgy
- Our Fight Clothing
- Our Place Fellowship
- OZ
- Pacific Justice Institute
- Pakalolo
- paki
- Palm Mincer
- Paris OG
- Pass the Salt Ministries
- Patriot Front
- Patriotic Brigade Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- Patriotic Dissent Books
- Patriots Flags
- Paul Hall Jr.
- PB Breath
- Peak
- peckerwood
- penis
- Peptide
- Peptides
- permafrost
- Pilgrims Covenant Church
- Pineapple Express
- Pipe
- Political Cesspool
- Political Islam
- porn
- porno
- pornography
- pot
- Pot
- Pothead
- Pray in Jesus Name Project
- Pre Roll
- Pre Rolls
- Pre-Roll
- Pre-Rolls
- Preroll
- Prerolls
- private reserve
- Probe Ministries
- ProEnglish
- prostitute
- proud boys
- pu$$y
- Public Advocate of the United States
- Puffco
- Purple Berry
- purple haze
- Purple Punch
- PurpleKush
- PurplePunch
- pussy
- puto
- pvssy
- PzG Inc.
- Racial Nationalist Party of America
- Radio Jihad
- Radix Journal
- raghead
- RAHOWA
- rape
- razor og
- Real Republic of Florida
- Realist Report
- Rebel Brigade Knights True Invisible Empire
- rectal
- rectum
- rectus
- Red Ice
- Red-Green Axis Exposed
- redneck
- reefer
- Reform the States
- Refugee Resettlement Watch
- Remembrance Project
- Renaissance Horizon
- Resin
- Respect Washington
- Rev. Michael D. Bray
- Revival Baptist Church
- Revolt Through Tradition
- Right Brand Clothing
- Rise Above Movement
- Rise Align Ignite Reclaim
- roach
- roach clip
- Rocks
- Ron G. Wilson
- Ronal G. Dogget
- Ronald W. Edwards
- Rural Nexion
- Ruth Institute
- Sacred Truth Publishing & Ministries
- Samuel Jared Taylor
- Samuel T. Francis
- San Diegans for Secure Borders
- sand nigger
- Sativa
- Save California
- Scott Lively Ministries
- Scott-Townsend Publishers
- Scriptures for America Worldwide Ministries
- scrotum
- Sea Jay Foundation
- Semaglutide
- semen
- sex
- sexcam
- sexting
- sexual
- sexually
- Sharia Crime Stoppers
- Shater
- Shatr
- Shatter
- sheboon
- Shieldwall Network
- shisha
- Shoebat Foundation
- skinbyrd
- skinhead
- Skunk
- slut
- smoke
- smoker
- Social Contract Press
- Soldiers of Odin
- Sour Diesel
- Southern Cultural Center
- sperm
- spic
- spick
- spik
- spiks
- spliff
- St. Michael’s Media
- Stedfast Baptist Church
- Steven J. Wiegand
- stiiizy
- stoned
- stoner
- STOOOOP
- STOP JUNK
- Stop:hand:️
- Stormfront
- Straight Arm Media
- Straight Way and More
- Strain
- Strains
- Strong Hold Baptist Church
- sudaca
- Super Silver Haze
- Sure Foundation Baptist Church
- swastika
- taffy
- testicle
- Texans for Immigration Reduction and Enforcement
- THC
- THC
- The Base
- The Green Brigade
- The Realist Report
- The Right Stuff
- Third Reich Books
- Thomas J. Martin
- Thomas L. Metzger
- Thomas More Law Center
- threesome
- Tightrope Records
- tit
- titfuck
- titi
- tits
- tittiefucker
- titties
- titty
- tittyfuck
- tittyfucker
- TMW
- TMW Cartridge
- toke
- toker
- Tom Brown Ministries
- touch her
- True Light Pentecost Church
- Truth in Love Project
- Truth in Textbooks
- Understanding the Threat
- United Families International
- United Klans of America
- United Northern and Southern Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
- United Riot Records
- United Skinhead Nation
- United West
- UPS
- USPS
- vagina
- Valley meds
- Vanguard News Network
- Vanguard Productions
- vape
- vapes
- vaporize
- VDARE Foundation
- Verity Baptist Church
- Victor J. Gerhard
- Vinlanders Social Club
- Vinlandic Werwolf Distribution
- Volcano Vaporizer
- voyeur
- vulva
- W.A.R./P.F.R.
- wake and bake
- wang
- Warriors for Christ
- water pipe
- Wayne C. Lutton
- weed
- Weed
- weedmaps
- weedrive
- Westboro Baptist Church
- Western Hammerskins
- wetback
- White Aryan Resistance
- White Christian Brotherhood
- white nationalism
- White Plains
- white power
- White Rabbit Radio
- white separatism
- white supremacy
- white trash
- White Widow
- Wiliiam A. White
- Will2Rise
- Winter Solace Productions
- World Congress of Families
- Yusuf Shabazz
- Zig Zag
- zigzag
Compliance Best Practices
- Ensure clear consent language and process. Clearly display TCPA and CTIA-compliant opt-in language wherever you collect SMS marketing consent. Do not pre-check boxes on opt-in forms.
- Set content expectations. Have you conveyed what your subscribers should expect when signing up for your communications? A recipient who provided explicit marketing consent may unsubscribe or report a violation if it is not quickly recognizable and does not align with what they expected.
- Quickly honor any and all opt-out requests.
- Avoid spammy habits and deceptive, unwanted or illicit content in your messages. Never send messages promoting illegal goods or services, misleading offers, or excessive caps/punctuation. Keep messaging frequency reasonable and stick to your stated purpose.
- Make sure your company/brand is easily identifiable within messages.