Skip to main content

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy requirements for US/CAN number registrations

Updated this week

Number registrations in the United States and Canada now require us to file your numbers with the relevant T&Cs and Policies posted on your website or social media pages. This means that for both TFNs and 10DLCs, registration will require valid links to such content.


What are SMS compliance terms and conditions?

SMS terms and conditions are a legally binding contract that sets the rules and guidelines for an SMS or texting campaign, including the service providers’ and customers’ responsibilities.

These terms and conditions set the tone for the relationship between you, running an SMS campaign, and your contacts, receiving your messages.

Other phrases that can be used interchangeably to describe terms and conditions are “terms of service” and “terms of use.”

For an SMS terms and conditions document to be legally binding, contacts must understand what it means before accepting to sign it. It must also be legally valid in your territory or country.

What must your SMS compliance terms and conditions include?

Program name and product description: The CTIA requires that your terms and conditions contain a program name, which is often your brand or product name.

Message frequency; Mention the number of messages your contacts can expect to receive from you. It is ok to say that “Message frequency may vary”.

Link to customer support: Include a link to customer support so your contacts can reach out if they need help with anything. This can be a webpage, an email address or a phone number.

How to opt-out Explain how your customers can opt out of receiving your SMS marketing messages. For example “Customers can reply STOP or END in order to unsubscribe from messages”.

Costs: Mention the costs or fees a customer might incur if they send messages to you. Most companies simply include “Message and data rates may apply”.

Link to privacy policy: Add a privacy policy link so your contacts know how you collect, store, and use their data.

Where should I post this information?

You should ideally have a dedicated page on your website. We always advise that you consult with your legal team or counsel to tailor T&Cs and Privacy Policies to your business needs. However, below is a sample terms and conditions for SMS.

Sample texts

You can add this to your T&Cs

Agreement to Receive Text Messages

By providing your mobile number, you agree that COMPANY may send you periodic SMS or MMS messages containing but not limited to important information, updates, deals, and specials.

  • Frequency of messages may vary

  • You may unsubscribe at any time by texting the word STOP to [YOUR SMS NUMBER]. You may receive a subsequent message confirming your opt-out request.

  • For help, send the word HELP to [YOUR SMS NUMBER].

  • Message and data rates may apply.

  • United States Participating Carriers Include AT&T, T-Mobile®, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Boost, U.S. Cellular®, MetroPCS®, InterOp, Cellcom, C Spire Wireless, Cricket, Virgin Mobile and others.

  • T-Mobile is not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

  • You agree to notify us of any changes to your mobile number and update your account with us to reflect this change.

  • Data obtained from you in connection with this SMS service may include your cell phone number, your carrier’s name, and the date, time and content of your messages, as well as other information that you provide. We may use this information to contact you and to provide the services you request from us.

  • By subscribing or otherwise using the service, you acknowledge and agree that we will have the right to change and/or terminate the service at any time, with or without cause and/or advance notice.

If you have any questions please contact COMPANY at [COMPANY NUMBER].

Will I be charged for the text messages I receive?

Though COMPANY will never charge you for the text messages you receive, depending on your phone plan, you may see some charges from your mobile provider. Please reach out to your wireless provider if you have questions about your text or data plan.

You can use the below in your Privacy Policy

SMS and Text Messaging

We may use your personal information to send you SMS and text messages for marketing and transactional purposes. This includes sending you promotional offers, appointment reminders, and other relevant information.

  • Data Collection: We collect your mobile phone number when you opt-in to receive SMS messages from us.

  • Data Usage: Your phone number will be used solely for the purpose of sending you SMS messages.

  • Data Sharing: We do not sell or share your mobile phone number with third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share your information with our SMS service providers to facilitate the sending of messages.

  • Opt-Out: You can opt-out of receiving SMS messages from us at any time by replying with the word "STOP" to any message you receive. You may receive a confirmation message of your opt-out. For help, reply "HELP".

  • Message and Data Rates: Message and data rates may apply to any messages sent or received.

Did this answer your question?