The wireless industry (CTIA) has imposed new rules on text messaging (also known as 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.

Campus use of RingCentral SMS for conversational messaging is impacted, as well as any computer automation using text messaging. 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 be preserved in a written or electronic form.

This article provides information for the person using a non-cellphone, such as RingCentral, to send text messages, whether to one recipient or many.  

Obtaining Consent

You should contact the recipient in person, via email or phone call and ask them to send you an email or message saying:

You may send SMS messages to [phone number], [recipient name]

You should also inform them that by receiving messages from you they may incur wireless carrier charges and that they must be willing to pay those expenses themselves.

You will need to retain the record of consent for as along 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 recipients 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 is termination of your SMS permissions and, potentially, fines for the University.

Help

Help is a special message asking for the sender to identify themselves. The reply should also provide useful information to the recipient for finding assistance. If a recipient sends the word HELP, respond with the following message:

This is from Cornell University. If you need assistance you may contact the Campus Service Desk at itservicedesk@cornell.edu or 607 255 5500.

After receiving a HELP message you may continue to contact the recipient. It may be useful to continue to communicate to learn if there is a concern you can resolve.