# Forbidden message categories for SMS/MMS in the U.S./Canada

{% hint style="info" %}
Policy violation will lead to the suspension of SMS/MMS capability for your account.
{% endhint %}

| **Category**                             | **Examples**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | **Notes**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **High-risk financial services**         | <ul><li><strong>Payday loans</strong></li><li><strong>Short-term high-interest loans</strong></li><li><strong>Third-party auto loans</strong></li><li><strong>Third-party mortgage loans</strong></li><li><strong>Student loans</strong></li><li><strong>Cryptocurrency</strong></li></ul> | "Third-party" means originating from any party other than the one which will service the loan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Third-party lead generation services** | <ul><li><strong>Companies that buy, sell, or share consumer information.</strong></li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| **Debt collection or forgiveness**       | <ul><li><strong>Third-party debt collection</strong></li><li><strong>Debt consolidation</strong></li><li><strong>Debt reduction</strong></li><li><strong>Credit repair programs</strong></li></ul>                                                                                         | "Third-party" means originating from any party other than the one owed the debt. For example, a hospital could send messages regarding bills for its patients, assuming they opted-in to receive messaging.                                                                                                                                                                                |
| **"Get rich quick" schemes**             | <ul><li><strong>Work-from-home programs</strong></li><li><strong>Risk investment opportunities</strong></li><li><strong>Pyramid schemes</strong></li></ul>                                                                                                                                 | This differs from outreach about employment due to compliant opt-in practices, messages from brokerages to their members, investment news alerts, or other investment-related messages.                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| **Illegal substances**                   | <ul><li><strong>Cannabis (United States)</strong></li><li><strong>CBD (United States)</strong></li><li><strong>Prescription drugs</strong></li></ul>                                                                                                                                       | <p>Cannabis is federally illegal in the United States. Cannabis businesses will not be permitted to use SMS/MMS messaging in the U.S., regardless of message content.</p><p>CBD is federally legal but not in some U.S. states, so U.S. carriers do not permit messaging related to CBD.</p><p>Offers for drugs that cannot be sold over the counter in the U.S./Canada are forbidden.</p> |
| **Gambling**                             | <ul><li><strong>Casino apps</strong></li><li><strong>Gambling websites</strong></li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Gambling traffic is prohibited in the U.S. and Canada on all number types (Toll-Free, Short Code, and Long Code).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **"S. H.A.F.T." use cases**              | <ul><li><strong>Sex</strong></li><li><strong>Hate</strong></li><li><strong>Alcohol</strong></li><li><strong>Firearms</strong></li><li><strong>Tobacco</strong></li></ul>                                                                                                                   | <p>While Tobacco traffic is prohibited on Toll-Free, it is allowed on Short or Long Code, as long as proper age-gating procedures are in place.</p><p>Alcohol traffic is allowed on Toll-Free (U.S. only), Short Code, and Long Code, as long as proper age-gating procedures are in place.</p><p>Firearms and Vaping-related traffic are prohibited.</p>                                  |


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