The wireless industry (CTIA) has imposed new rules on text messaging (SMS or Short Message Service) for anyone sending texts from non-cellphone sources. This includes RingCentral users and campus automation using SMS. The rules apply universally to all users and impose new steps to protect against unwanted messages. Failure to comply may result discontinuation of your SMS service and/or fines for the University.
Everyone using RingCentral for SMS messaging as well as any other computer automation of text messaging must comply with these rules.
The most important change for senders to know is a new requirement for Recipient Consent. All SMS uses require senders to obtain permission from each recipient before sending them text messages. The permission must be explicit and preserved in written or electronic form.
SMS Privacy
TWU may share your personal information with third party service providers with whom we have a business relationship or agreement with, in furtherance or support of the legitimate business interests and operations of the University to deliver services to our constituents. Such third party service providers include, but are not limited to cloud hosting providers, email service providers, telephony and SMS messaging, and payment processing partners. Our third party service providers are subject to the same security and confidentiality obligations and are only permitted to process your personal information for specified purposes and in accordance with our instructions.
TWU does not sell your personal information to third parties. TWU Departments are required to only use your SMS information for business purposes. Additionally, we will never share, trade, or otherwise provide phone numbers or SMS consent to third parties.
We may also disclose information about you when we believe that such use or disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with any legal or regulatory obligation, or disclosure is necessary to appropriate authorities as required by federal, state, or local law.
Obtaining Consent
You should contact the recipient in person, via email or phone call, and ask them to provide their consent by sending you an email or message saying:
You may send SMS messages to [phone number], [recipient name].
Sending a text message to ask the recipient to send this message violates the consent protocol.
You should also inform them that they may incur wireless carrier charges by receiving messages from you and that they must be willing to pay those expenses themselves.
Text Stop to opt-out. Message & Data rates may apply.
You will need to retain the record of consent for as long as you continue messaging the recipient, plus six months.
Opt-Out
Another aspect of Consent is discontinuing messages when asked. If a recipient sends a message asking you to stop sending, you must do so immediately and permanently. You must also do so if the recipient sends a text message with the word STOP. You should reply with only this message:
We received a STOP message from your phone number. You will no longer receive messages from this number.
After replying, you may not send any more text messages to this number from your phone number. To be able to send again, the recipient must contact you and re-authorize SMS usage. Failure to comply with a STOP message may result in termination of your SMS permissions and, potentially, fines for the University.