Prohibited Messages

Compliance and Prohibited Messaging Guidelines

The following messaging use cases are strictly prohibited on SMS and MMS platforms in the United States and Canada. These guidelines apply to Short Code, Toll-Free, and Long Code messaging under the A2P 10DLC system. Compliance with these regulations ensures that our messaging services remain operational and meet carrier requirements.

Prohibited and Forbidden Messaging

Certain types of messages are strictly prohibited to maintain a safe and compliant messaging environment. These restrictions apply to both the content of the message and the nature of the business itself. Even if a specific use case is not listed, some message content may still be subject to restrictions.

Commercial and Promotional Messages

RedFlag is a communication platform designed to alert and update associates in important situations. Per FCC laws (TCPA and CAN-SPAM), RedFlag cannot be used for sending commercial messages.

What Is a Commercial Message?

A commercial message includes any email, text message, telephone call (voice, pre-recorded, or automatic), or any form of message delivered by digital technology that meets any of the following criteria:

• Encourages purchase or investment — Initiated for the purpose of encouraging the purchase, rental, or investment in any property, goods, or services.
• Advertises availability or quality — Advertises the commercial availability or quality of any property, goods, or services.
• Part of a marketing campaign — Sent as part of a plan, program, or campaign intended to induce the purchase of goods, services, or a charitable contribution.
• Contains advertising or solicitation content — Deemed to be or includes an advertising message, telemarketing message, or telephone solicitation as defined by applicable laws.

Commercial messages include, but are not limited to: promotional offers, "Free" offers or giveaways, coupons or discounts, upsell/cross-sell solicitations, sales announcements, charitable donation requests, and any solicitation embedded within or appended to a transactional message.

What Is NOT a Commercial Message

The following types of communications are not considered commercial and are permitted on the RedFlag platform when sent to properly consented recipients:

• Emergency and safety alerts — Notifications about imminent threats, evacuations, weather events, or operational emergencies
• Internal operational updates — Shift changes, facility closures, schedule adjustments, or policy reminders
• HR and workforce communications — Benefits reminders, payroll notifications, onboarding instructions, compliance training reminders
• IT and security notices — System outages, password reset notifications, two-factor authentication (2FA) messages
• Event and logistics coordination — Meeting reminders, location changes, travel updates
• Crisis and incident communications — Lockdowns, active threat notifications, business continuity updates
• Informational status updates — Non-promotional updates about an ongoing service, order, or appointment (where no upsell or solicitation is included)

Consent Requirements

• Commercial messages require written consent from the recipient prior to sending, regardless of channel. RedFlag does not support or facilitate collection of commercial consent, and commercial messaging should not be conducted through the platform.
• Non-commercial messages may be authorized through verbal consent, after which contacts may be uploaded to RedFlag for non-commercial messaging use.

When in doubt: If the primary purpose of a message is to promote a product, service, or solicit a purchase — it is a commercial message and may not be sent via RedFlag. Contact support if you're unsure.

S.H.A.F.T. Restricted Content

The following categories are restricted under SMS/MMS guidelines:

• Sexual Content
• Hate Speech
• Alcohol
• Firearms
• Tobacco
• Vape/E-Cigarettes

Alcohol: Allowed on Toll-Free, Short Code, and Long Code in the U.S. with proper age gating (requiring users to enter their birthdate, not just a yes/no question).

Firearms, Vape, and E-Cigarettes: Prohibited on all messaging platforms.

Tobacco: Allowed on Short Code with age gating but prohibited on Long Code and Toll-Free numbers.

Canada: All age-gated content must be blocked unless a special carrier exemption is granted.

High-Risk Financial Services

The following financial services are prohibited:

• Payday loans
• Short-term high-interest loans
• Third-party loans (auto, mortgage, personal, student, etc.)
• Cryptocurrency promotions
• Stock and investment platforms (except 2FA and transactional messages)

Third-Party Lead Generation and Marketing

Prohibited activities include:

• Selling or sharing consumer information
• Affiliate marketing and lending
• Deceptive marketing
• Using voter registration databases for SMS outreach

Debt Collection and Forgiveness

• Third-party debt collection is prohibited.
• Debt consolidation, reduction, and credit repair programs are not allowed.

“Get Rich Quick” Schemes

Prohibited messaging includes:

• Deceptive work-from-home offers
• Risk investment opportunities
• Pyramid schemes
• Mystery shopping scams

Illegal Substances and Articles

The following are not allowed in any SMS/MMS messaging:

• Cannabis and CBD (regardless of federal/state legality)
• Kratom
• Drug paraphernalia
• Fireworks

Prescription Drugs

• Messages promoting prescription drugs or any drug requiring a prescription are prohibited.

Gambling and Betting

• Casino apps, gambling websites, sweepstakes, and betting services are prohibited.
• Bingo-related messages may be allowed on approved Short Codes.

WAF (Web Application Firewall) and Message Blocking

WAF is a security feature designed to protect against malicious traffic, spam, and potential threats. If a message is blocked by the WAF, it indicates that security filters flagged the content as potentially harmful or unauthorized.

Common reasons for message blocking:

• Use of suspicious keywords or phrases resembling spam or phishing attempts
• High-frequency sending patterns that resemble bot activity
• Content containing restricted or sensitive information

If your messages are blocked due to WAF, we recommend reviewing the content for restricted terms and adjusting the wording. If issues persist, please contact support for further investigation.

Compliance and Consequences

Failure to comply with these messaging guidelines can result in:

• Message blocking by carriers
• Temporary or permanent suspension of messaging services
• Legal and financial penalties

We encourage all users to adhere to these policies to ensure uninterrupted service. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please reach out to our support team.