1. Overview
This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs your use of the ReadySMS platform and services. This AUP is incorporated into and forms part of our Terms of Service. By using ReadySMS, you agree to comply with this AUP at all times.
ReadySMS reserves the right to modify this AUP at any time. Continued use of our Services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. Violations of this AUP may result in immediate suspension or termination of your account.
2. Consent Requirements
You must obtain prior, express, written consent from every individual before sending them any message through ReadySMS. You are solely responsible for:
- Obtaining and documenting valid consent before sending any SMS or MMS message
- Maintaining records of consent for each recipient, including how, when, and where consent was obtained
- Ensuring your consent collection methods comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), CTIA guidelines, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws
- Providing clear disclosure at the point of consent that the recipient will receive text messages, the approximate frequency, and that message and data rates may apply
- Honoring all opt-out requests immediately and permanently
Purchasing or renting contact lists does not constitute valid consent. You may not send messages to individuals who have not directly and explicitly opted in to receive messages from your business.
3. Opt-Out Compliance
You must honor all opt-out requests without exception. ReadySMS automatically processes the following opt-out keywords: STOP, QUIT, UNSUBSCRIBE, END, CANCEL. When a recipient sends any of these keywords:
- No further messages may be sent to that number from your account
- An automatic confirmation message will be sent to the recipient
- The number will be added to a suppression list
You must also support the HELP keyword, which should return your business name, contact information, and opt-out instructions. You are responsible for maintaining your own suppression lists in addition to the automated system provided by ReadySMS.
Attempting to circumvent opt-out mechanisms, re-subscribing opted-out numbers without new explicit consent, or contacting opted-out individuals through alternative numbers or accounts is strictly prohibited.
4. Prohibited Content
You may not use ReadySMS to send messages containing or promoting any of the following:
4.1 SHAFT Content
- S — Sex, sexual content, or adult entertainment
- H — Hate speech, harassment, threats, or discriminatory content
- A — Alcohol (unless properly licensed and compliant with applicable regulations)
- F — Firearms, weapons, ammunition, or explosives
- T — Tobacco, vaping, e-cigarettes, or related products
4.2 High-Risk Financial Services
- Payday loans or short-term high-interest loans
- New loan solicitation or third-party lending (including mortgage)
- Student loan marketing
- Cryptocurrency promotions or trading solicitations
- Stock tips, investment solicitations, or trading platforms
4.3 Third-Party Lead Generation
- Companies that buy, sell, or share consumer information
- Affiliate lending or affiliate marketing
- Deceptive or misleading marketing practices
4.4 Debt Services
- Third-party debt collection
- Debt consolidation, reduction, relief, or forgiveness
- Credit repair services
4.5 Fraudulent or Deceptive Schemes
- Get-rich-quick schemes or deceptive work-from-home programs
- Pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing recruitment
- Mystery shopping solicitations
- Phishing, smishing, spear-phishing, or social engineering attacks
- Impersonation of other businesses, government agencies, or individuals
4.6 Illegal Substances and Products
- Cannabis, CBD, kratom, or related products
- Drug paraphernalia
- Prescription drugs or pharmaceuticals requiring a prescription
- Fireworks or pyrotechnics
4.7 Gambling
- Casino apps or online gambling platforms
- Sports betting or betting picks services
- Sweepstakes, 50/50 raffles, or contests (unless properly licensed)
5. Prohibited Practices
In addition to prohibited content, the following practices are strictly forbidden:
- Spamming: Sending unsolicited bulk messages or any messages without proper consent
- Snowshoeing: Distributing messages across multiple numbers, accounts, or campaigns to evade carrier filters or rate limits
- Caller ID / Sender ID spoofing: Misrepresenting or falsifying the sender identity of any message
- Number cycling: Rotating through phone numbers to avoid detection or carrier blocking
- Evading filters: Deliberately modifying message content, formatting, or sending patterns to bypass spam filters or carrier protections
- Unauthorized access: Accessing or attempting to access accounts, systems, or data that does not belong to you
- Service disruption: Any activity that interferes with, disrupts, or degrades the ReadySMS platform, carrier networks, or any connected systems
- Reselling without authorization: Reselling ReadySMS services without prior written authorization
- Violating campaign registration: Sending messages that do not match the use case, content type, or description registered in your A2P 10DLC campaign
6. Message Content Requirements
All messages sent through ReadySMS must:
- Clearly identify your business or organization as the sender
- Be relevant to the consent the recipient provided
- Include opt-out instructions (e.g., "Reply STOP to unsubscribe") in marketing messages
- Not contain false, misleading, or deceptive information
- Not contain malicious links, malware, or links to phishing sites
- Comply with all applicable laws, carrier guidelines, and CTIA best practices
7. Carrier Compliance
You acknowledge that US mobile carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others) enforce their own messaging policies. ReadySMS is required to comply with carrier guidelines, and by extension, so are you. Carriers may:
- Filter or block messages that violate their policies
- Suspend or revoke your 10DLC campaign registration
- Impose fines or penalties for non-compliant messaging
Any fines, penalties, fees, or charges imposed by carriers or regulatory bodies as a result of your messaging activity will be passed through to you in full. ReadySMS is not liable for messages that are filtered or blocked by carriers.
8. Monitoring and Enforcement
ReadySMS reserves the right to monitor messaging activity on our platform to ensure compliance with this AUP. We may, at our sole discretion:
- Review message content and sending patterns
- Investigate reports of abuse or policy violations
- Temporarily suspend messaging on your account pending investigation
- Permanently terminate your account for violations
- Report violations to carriers, regulatory authorities, or law enforcement
ReadySMS is not obligated to provide advance notice before taking enforcement action if we determine that immediate action is necessary to protect our platform, our customers, carriers, or message recipients.
9. Consequences of Violations
Violations of this AUP may result in one or more of the following:
- Warning and request to remedy the violation
- Temporary suspension of your messaging capabilities
- Permanent termination of your account
- Forfeiture of any remaining credits or prepaid balance
- Passthrough of any carrier fines, penalties, or regulatory charges
- Referral to law enforcement authorities
You are solely responsible for all messaging activity on your account. Claiming ignorance of this AUP or applicable laws is not a valid defense against enforcement actions.
10. Reporting Violations
If you become aware of any violation of this AUP — whether by your own account or another ReadySMS user — please report it immediately to abuse@readysms.io. We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly.
11. Contact
If you have questions about this Acceptable Use Policy, please contact us:
- Email: support@readysms.io
- Abuse reports: abuse@readysms.io
By using ReadySMS, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy.