Why Your Phone Still Buzzes With Political Texts After Blocking Numbers
A new tool and expert insights reveal how political campaigns use multiple numbers and data to bypass blocks, while offering strategies for users to regain control.
Despite efforts to block them, unsolicited political text messages continue to flood mobile phones, often originating from different numbers each time. This persistent issue stems from a tactic known as "snowshoeing," where political campaigns and organizations distribute messages across numerous phone lines to circumvent blocking efforts.
George Weiner, founder of PACspam.org and head of the digital agency Whole Whale, developed a free tool to help individuals identify the senders of these messages and combat the relentless solicitations. Weiner’s frustration with receiving constant political fundraising appeals, even after blocking numbers and attempting other opt-out methods, led him to create PACspam.org.
How Political Campaigns Obtain Phone Numbers
Political organizations can acquire phone numbers through various channels beyond direct consent. These include purchasing or exchanging contact lists, and combining voter registration data with commercially available consumer information. While voter registration data itself may not always include phone numbers, organizations can match this information with other databases to create detailed contact profiles. Donations to political campaigns can also expose personal information, as federal contribution records may include names and addresses when disclosure requirements are met. Once a number enters this network, tracking all entities possessing it becomes challenging.
The Financial Incentives Behind Political Texts
Political texting has become a lucrative business, with significant financial incentives driving its continued use. Weiner's analysis of Federal Election Commission (FEC) records indicates substantial spending on political texting services, with projections suggesting this spending could increase in future election cycles. Several major political messaging vendors have reported receiving millions of dollars for their services, which may encompass more than just text messaging.
Fundraising operations continue to send messages as long as the donations generated justify the cost. Even a small response rate can make further text campaigns financially viable. Some messages employ urgent language about deadlines or financial emergencies, while others use provocative headlines to elicit quick reactions. Questions have been raised about the proportion of funds raised by some Political Action Committees (PACs) that actually go to candidates versus fundraising expenses.
Identifying and Reporting Unsolicited Messages
PACspam.org offers a resource for users to identify the organizations behind political text messages. The free tool analyzes texts, extracts information from fundraising links, and uses public campaign finance data to trace the responsible committee. It also helps document complaints and tracks repeat offenders. The platform focuses on texting behavior rather than political affiliation and provides tools to investigate campaign spending on texting services.
Users can submit unwanted political messages or screenshots to PACspam.org. The service analyzes the information to identify the sender, committee, or texting provider. Weiner suggests that contacting the texting platform directly, when identifiable, can sometimes be more effective than blocking individual numbers, as these providers may handle messages for multiple organizations. Some providers have responded to complaints and offered ways to be added to their internal do-not-contact lists.
Legality and Limitations of Blocking Political Texts
The legality of unsolicited political texts can be complex. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) distinguishes between messages sent via automatic telephone dialing systems, which generally require prior express consent, and those sent manually, which may fall outside these restrictions. The National Do Not Call Registry typically does not apply to political outreach. While the FCC states that campaigns should honor opt-out requests (like replying STOP), these requests may only apply to the specific sender or platform.
Strategies for Reducing Political Texts
While completely eliminating political texts may be difficult, several steps can help reduce interruptions and protect personal information.
- Reply STOP: For messages from recognized political campaigns or organizations, replying "STOP" may unsubscribe you from that specific sender. However, avoid responding to suspicious messages, as this can confirm your number is active.
- Enable Spam Filtering: Smartphones offer built-in features to filter unknown or spam messages, moving them to separate folders. Users can adjust these settings in their messaging app preferences.
- Block and Report: Blocking individual numbers on your phone can stop messages from persistent senders, though new numbers may still be used. Reporting unwanted texts to your carrier by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) can aid in spam detection efforts.
- Report to FCC and FTC: For suspected violations of federal rules, complaints can be filed with the FCC. Suspicious or scam-like messages can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Donate Directly and Limit Data Exposure: If you wish to support a candidate, it is advisable to visit their official website directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts. Donating through official channels can help verify the recipient and potentially reduce further solicitations. Limiting the public availability of your phone number through data broker opt-out services may also reduce future exposure, though this does not affect legally required public campaign finance records.