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Acceptable Use Policy - SMS Services

Acceptable Use Policy - SMS Services

Effective Date: August 4, 2025
Company: Thunderstruck Media LLC & Distinctly Montana Magazine

Purpose

This policy governs the acceptable use of our SMS messaging services by customers, partners, and users.

Permitted Uses

Our SMS services may be used for:

  • Subscription notifications and renewals
  • Advertising deadline reminders
  • Promotional offers for our publications and services
  • Customer service communications
  • Event announcements
  • Account alerts and updates
  • Scheduling confirmations

Prohibited Content

Users may NOT send messages or post content containing:

  • Illegal, fraudulent, or deceptive content
  • Harassment, threats, or hate speech
  • Adult content, profanity, or sexually explicit material
  • Defamatory, vulgar, obscene, or libelous material
  • Content that violates SHAFT guidelines (Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco)
  • Cannabis, CBD, or marijuana-related content
  • Gambling, sweepstakes, or lottery content (except legal contests)
  • High-risk financial services (payday loans, debt collection, cryptocurrency)
  • Healthcare advice, medical claims, or pharmaceutical promotions
  • Political campaign messages or election-related content
  • Phishing attempts or malicious links
  • Content violating third-party rights
  • Viruses, malware, or corrupted data

Compliance Requirements

All users must:

  • Obtain proper consent before messaging
  • Honor opt-out requests immediately (within 10 seconds)
  • Include opt-out instructions in marketing messages
  • Comply with TCPA, CAN-SPAM, and CTIA guidelines
  • Maintain accurate sender identification
  • Send messages only during appropriate hours (8 AM - 9 PM recipient's local time)
  • Verify age requirements (13+ with parental consent)
  • Maintain records for minimum 4 years

Message Volume Limits

  • Marketing: Maximum 4 messages per week per recipient
  • Transactional: As needed for legitimate business purposes
  • Total: Not to exceed 10 messages per month per recipient
  • Excessive messaging may result in immediate suspension

Prohibited Practices

  • Purchasing, selling, or renting phone number lists
  • Sending to randomly generated numbers
  • Number harvesting or automated collection
  • Disguising sender identity or impersonating others
  • Circumventing opt-out mechanisms
  • Sharing user phone numbers without explicit consent
  • Manipulating our services using framing or similar technology
  • Deleting author attributions or legal notices
  • Registering or unsubscribing parties without authorization
  • Sending messages outside allowed hours
  • Using URL shorteners to disguise destinations
  • Snowshoeing (spreading similar content across multiple numbers)

Age Restrictions

  • No marketing to individuals known to be under 13
  • Parental consent required for users 13-17
  • Age verification required at opt-in

Content Standards

All messages must:

  • Be relevant to the recipient's consent
  • Clearly identify the sender
  • Include accurate information
  • Use professional language
  • Respect recipient preferences

Monitoring and Enforcement

We reserve the right to:

  • Monitor message content for compliance
  • Review sending patterns and volumes
  • Investigate complaints
  • Request documentation of consent
  • Audit compliance with policies
  • Report violations to authorities and carriers

Consequences of Violations

  • First violation: Written warning and education
  • Second violation: Temporary suspension (7-30 days)
  • Third violation: Permanent termination
  • Severe violations: Immediate termination without warning
  • Illegal activity: Report to law enforcement

Financial Penalties

Users may be charged:

  • $500 per serious violation
  • Actual damages from carrier fines
  • Legal costs for defending violations
  • Refunds to affected recipients

Reporting Violations

Report suspected violations:

Include: Date, time, phone number, message content, and nature of violation

Appeals Process

To appeal an enforcement action:

  • Submit written appeal within 30 days
  • Include supporting documentation
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Decision final within 14 days

Updates

This policy may be updated with 30 days' notice. Continued use constitutes acceptance. Major changes require re-acknowledgment.

Questions

Contact us:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 406-600-7660
  • Mail: 280 W Kagy Blvd, STE D-286, Bozeman, MT 59715

Remember: When in doubt, don't send it out!