SMS is the same thing as a text message, isn't it? We communicate with clients via text messages for their convenience. They usually initiate the text message. We never use text messages for advertising, and we do not ask our clients permission to send text messages, since th client is almost always the one who initiates the exchange via text messages. In my opinion, this whole thing is pointless, but I am willing to do it up to a point. However, I really do not want to bother all my clients with a form to give me permission to respond to their text messages. Do you have any suggestion other than to forego this means of communication?
Hey, @Barbara Lamar Obtaining consent is a requirement for all businesses that use SMS.
You don't have to ask your individual clients for consent but you do need to have a place where your policies around consent are noted.
Perhaps this is your website or in some form of communication.
I would review the CTIA guidelines around consent HERE on pages 12 & 13 and then submit with those guidelines in mind.
If you have questions, we're here to help. Please reach out here or shoot us an email at Community.Support@RingCentral.com
Thank you, Becky. I looked at the CTIA guidelines as you suggested, and it refers to the use my business makes of SMS messages as Conversational. It also says the following: "IMPLIED CONSENT If the Consumer initiates the text message exchange and the business only responds to each Consumer with relevant information, then no verbal or written permission is expected "
It is overly burdensome for you to demand that I pay to have our website re-worked to include opt-in and opt-out language, when we have never made any use of SMS other than conversational messages.
Another thought -- today is the first time I knew about this extremely burdensome new requirement. If it is taking weeks to get the registrations approved, then it appears our ability to use SMS messages will be ended anyhow, since March 31 is less than a month away.
I am really sorry we allowed your sales person to talk us into switching to your service. I
Barbara, Unfortunately, this is an industry shift an this will be required no matter what provider or carrier you work through.
We're happy to assist in making it less burdensome and support you with this transition.
Hi Becky, in line with this, as we are under the same category as Barbara - "SMS messages as Conversational", what do you suggest we actually put or type in the "How are you obtaining consent" text box of the registration? It's unusual enough that we have to put a sample message as in like "Hi, this is [company] and we are just reaching out to remind you of your scheduled installation on [date]. Please type STOP to opt out of messages at any time" since we aren't really using RingCentral for notifications or marketing related stuff. We have hundreds of contacts from our clients, suppliers, and industry partners, but we only use this for conversational purposes, like texting from a mobile phone. Do we ask for consent from everyone? I can't wrap my head around it, hope you can help.
@crisea For conversational SMS, consent is implied if a recipient messages you first or if the recipient tells you they wish to receive messages from you either verbally or in writing.
Again, it may feel silly, but simply providing how you might conduct these conversations is how you fill out the TCR consent piece.
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