Forbidden Message Categories in the U.S. and Canada

Textla enforces strict guidelines to maintain compliance and protect consumers from unwanted or potentially harmful communications. In the United States and Canada, certain message categories are prohibited across all messaging channels, including Short Code, Toll-Free, and Long Code.

Prohibited Message Categories

The following table outlines the categories of messages that are not allowed on Textla’s messaging services:

Category	Examples	Notes
High-Risk Financial Services	Payday loans Short-term high-interest loans Third-party auto loans Third-party mortgage loans Student loans Cryptocurrency Stocks and Investing platforms	“Third-party” refers to any entity other than the one servicing the loan.
Third-Party Lead Generation	Companies that buy, sell, or share consumer information. Affiliate Marketing	Consent must be obtained directly from end-users; third-party consents are not permitted.
Debt Collection or Forgiveness	Third-party debt collection Debt consolidation Debt reduction Credit repair programs	“Third-party” indicates any party other than the original creditor.
"Get Rich Quick" Schemes	Deceptive work-from-home programs Risk investment opportunities Pyramid schemes	This differs from legitimate employment outreach with proper opt-in consent.
Illegal Substances	Cannabis CBD Kratom Paraphernalia products Vape/E-cigs Fireworks	Despite varying state laws, cannabis remains federally illegal in the U.S., prohibiting related messaging. CBD legality varies by state, leading carriers to disallow related messaging.
Gambling	Casino apps Gambling websites Betting/Sports picks	Gambling-related messaging is prohibited across all number types in the U.S. and Canada.
"S.H.A.F.T." Use Cases	Content related to sex, hate, firearms, tobacco.	While alcohol-related messaging requires proper age-gating procedures. Firearms and vaping-related content are strictly prohibited.
Prescription Drugs	Drugs that require a prescription	Any drug that you would otherwise need a prescription for (this includes Ozempic and GLP-1)

Consequences of Violating These Guidelines

Violating these guidelines can result in severe penalties, including fines and suspension of messaging capabilities. As of February 15, 2024, T-Mobile enforces non-compliance fines for prohibited content, ranging from $500 to $2,000 per violation. These fines apply to all commercial messaging products traversing the T-Mobile network.

If your intended messaging use case falls under any of these forbidden categories, we recommend exploring alternative communication channels, such as email or social media platforms, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

For comprehensive and up-to-date information, please refer to Textla’s official guidelines and policies.