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FCC Time-based Restrictions For Text Messaging
FCC Time-based Restrictions For Text Messaging

YetiText helps you remain in compliance with the TCPA's (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) Time-based restrictions.

Levi Butler avatar
Written by Levi Butler
Updated over 4 years ago

In 2012, the FCC decided that text messages are included in the restrictions set forth in the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act).
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We are modifying YetiText to help you follow one of the most critical TCPA rules, time-based restrictions.

Time-based Restrictions

The TCPA stipulates that telemarketers (phone calls & text messages are both included) should only contact recipients between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM according to the recipient's local timezone.

YetiText will help you follow this restriction for outgoing messages that are not part of a keyword conversation nor being sent by a human.

This means that if your CRM tells YetiText to send your contact(s) a text message, YetiText will automatically make sure it sends out at an acceptable time. YetiText uses a combination of the contact phone number's area code and your account timezone setting to try and send the text message as close to the recipient's local timezone as possible.

Here are a few example scenarios to help you understand how & when YetiText will adjust the send time of your text message(s).

Scenario 1: Single text message

If your CRM sends YetiText a request to send a text message at 8:00 AM (Mountain Time) to +18588004552, YetiText will do the following:

  1. Identify that +18588004552's area code 858 is in the Pacific Timezone.

  2. Calculate the timezone offset. i.e. 8:00 AM (Mountain Time) is 7:00 AM (Pacific Time)

  3. Determine if the time meets the TCPA guideline. i.e. Because the TCPA stipulates that we must use the recipient's local timezone, which in this case is Pacific, we cannot send the message for 1 more hour.

  4. Send the text message at 8:00 AM (Pacific Time) or shortly after that time.

Scenario 2: Responding to messages using YetiText

If you are using the YetiText mobile app or the YetiText web app to personally respond to text messages, your messages will always be sent immediately to your contact. This means if a contact reaches out to you before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM, you can feel free to respond immediately and we will deliver your message right away.

Scenario 3: Contact starts a keyword conversation

If your contact starts a keyword conversation, YetiText will always send your prepared replies immediately to your contact, regardless of the time of day.

Scenario 4: A large number of text messages

If your CRM sends YetiText a large number of requests to send text messages to hundreds of your contacts, YetiText will do the following:

  1. Identify each contact phone number area code and timezone based on area code.

  2. Calculate the timezone offset for each contact.

  3. Determine if the message can be sent now, or should be delayed later for each contact.

  4. Send each text message as soon as we can. Depending on the number of messages that you are trying to send, YetiText will queue the messages to ensure maximum deliverability.

Learn more about how YetiText helps you ensure message deliverability.

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