SMS short code terms of service example

Per industry standards, you should have a mobile terms of service page and a privacy policy for each US short code program. Your mobile terms of service and privacy policy must contain certain provisions including customer support contact information; complete opt-out instructions, displayed in bold; a recurring message disclosure (if applicable); a product description; and a program (brand) name. There may also be additional requirements for certain programs like sweepstakes or contests.

For more information on industry standards, you should review the CTIA’s Short Code Monitoring Handbook. You should also consult your company’s legal department for more details.

To help you get started, we have drafted the following example: 

Example ** COMPANY NAME SMS Short Code Terms of Service ** Example

  1. When you opt-in to the service, we will send you an SMS message to confirm your signup.
  2. This service is used to send you notifications about _____ (Insert a brief description of the kinds of messages users will receive when they opt in to your SMS short code program.)
  3. You can cancel this service at any time. Just text “STOP” to #####. After you send the message “STOP” to us, we will send you a reply message to confirm that you have been unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time and we will start sending messages to you again.
  4. If at any time you forget what keywords are supported, just text “HELP” to #####. After you send the message “HELP” to us, we will respond with instructions on how to use our service as well as how to unsubscribe.
  5. We can deliver messages to the following mobile phone carriers:

Major Carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile

Minor Carriers: U.S. Cellular, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, Virgin Mobile, Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), Appalachian Wireless (EKN), Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central, IL (ECIT), Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania, Cricket, Coral Wireless (Mobi PCS), COX, Cross, Element Mobile (Flat Wireless), Epic Touch (Elkhart Telephone), GCI, Golden State, Hawkeye (Chat Mobility), Hawkeye (NW Missouri), Illinois Valley Cellular, Inland Cellular, iWireless (Iowa Wireless), Keystone Wireless (Immix Wireless/PC Man), Mosaic (Consolidated or CTC Telecom), Nex-Tech Wireless, NTelos, Panhandle Communications, Pioneer, Plateau (Texas RSA 3 Ltd), Revol, RINA, Simmetry (TMP Corporation),Thumb Cellular, Union Wireless, United Wireless, Viaero Wireless, and West Central (WCC or 5 Star Wireless).

  1. As always, Message and Data Rates May Apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider. For all questions about the services provided by this short code, you can send an email to your company’s support email address.
  2.  If you have any questions regarding privacy, see your company’s privacy policy.