There are several compliance issues involved in sending text messages to customers, including:
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): This law regulates the use of automatic dialing systems and prerecorded messages, as well as the sending of unsolicited faxes. In order to comply with the TCPA, businesses must obtain prior express consent from consumers before sending them text messages, and must also provide an opt-out mechanism for recipients to unsubscribe from future messages.
- CAN-SPAM Act: This law regulates commercial email and text messaging, and requires that businesses include certain information in their messages, such as a valid physical postal address and an opt-out mechanism.
- GDPR: If you operate in European Union, you need to comply with GDPR, which regulates the collection, storage, and use of personal data, including text messages. Under GDPR you need to obtain consent and have clear and legible information about the right to be forgotten, the right to access data, and the right to rectification, etc.
- HIPAA: If you are sending health-related messages, you will also need to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which regulates the handling of protected health information (PHI).
- Industry-specific regulations: Depending on the industry, there may be additional regulations that businesses need to comply with. For example, financial institutions may be subject to regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regarding the use of text messaging for financial transactions.
Compliance
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was enacted in 1991 in order to protect consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls and faxes. The TCPA applies to calls and text messages made using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) or an artificial or pre-recorded voice. Businesses must obtain prior express written consent from consumers before making such calls or sending text messages to their mobile phones. Additionally, businesses must provide an “opt-out” mechanism for consumers to unsubscribe from receiving future calls or text messages.
The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that regulates commercial email and text messages. It requires businesses to include certain information in their messages, such as a valid physical postal address and an opt-out mechanism. The law also requires that the message’s subject line is not misleading and that the sender clearly identifies himself.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an EU Regulation that came into effect in May 2018 and regulates the collection, storage, and use of personal data, including text messages. Businesses must obtain explicit and informed consent from individuals before collecting or processing their personal data. Businesses must also provide individuals with clear and legible information about their rights, such as the right to access their data, the right to rectify inaccuracies in their data, and the right to be forgotten.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that regulates the handling of protected health information (PHI). Covered entities such as healthcare providers and insurance companies, as well as their business associates, must comply with HIPAA’s requirements to ensure the confidentiality and security of PHI. If you are sending health-related text messages, you will need to ensure that you are in compliance with HIPAA.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, businesses may also need to comply with industry-specific regulations. For example, financial institutions may be subject to regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regarding the use of text messaging for financial transactions. If you operate in a highly regulated industry, you should consult with legal counsel to ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable regulations.
