Overview

To protect consumers and maintain a reliable messaging ecosystem, carriers in the United States and Canada strictly prohibit certain types of SMS and MMS traffic. These rules apply across Short Code, Toll-Free, and 10DLC (A2P) messaging.

Violating these rules can result in blocked messages, fines, or suspension of your messaging capabilities within PXME.

Forbidden Use Cases

The following categories are strictly prohibited:

• Illegal Substances: Cannabis, CBD, or any federally restricted drug-related products.

• Prescription Medications: Including online pharmacies.

• Gambling: Casino-related content, betting, sweepstakes, or lottery.

• Adult Content: Pornography, escort services, or sexually explicit material.

• Firearms & Weapons: Sales or promotion of guns, explosives, or weapon accessories.

• Fraudulent Activity: Phishing, scams, or deceptive financial practices.

• High-Risk Financial Services: Payday loans, crypto promotions, or debt collection harassment.

• Illegal or Unlicensed Tobacco Sales: Including vaping products in restricted areas.

⚠️ Note: Restrictions may apply not only to message content, but also to the business type itself.

Additional Restrictions

Even if your business type is permitted, certain practices will still trigger filtering or violations:

• URL Shorteners: Shared or free public shorteners (like bit.ly or tinyurl) are not allowed.
  ✅ Always use a company-branded short domain if shortening links.

• Message Content: Overly aggressive language, spammy behavior, or misleading claims can be flagged.

Carrier Enforcement & Fines

Starting February 15, 2024, T-Mobile and other US carriers have implemented Sev-0 fines for A2P non-compliance.

• Sev-0 Violation: The most severe violation level.

• Immediate Action: Offending messages are blocked instantly.

• Financial Penalty: Fines range from $500 to $2,000 per violation.

• Escalation: Repeated or severe infractions may result in permanent suspension from the carrier network.

? PXME is required to pass these fines directly to users who cause violations.

Best Practices for Compliance

• Review all SMS/MMS campaigns before sending.

• Avoid restricted industries and prohibited content categories.

• Always use company-branded domains for shortened URLs.

• Keep language clear, professional, and truthful.

• Register your brand and campaigns properly through PXME’s A2P compliance process.

FAQ

Q1: Can I send updates about cannabis or CBD if it’s legal in my state?
No. Despite state-level legalization, federal restrictions prevent cannabis or CBD promotions via SMS/MMS in the US and Canada.

Q2: Can I use free URL shorteners in my campaigns?
No. Shared shorteners like bit.ly are prohibited. You must use a custom, branded short domain.

Q3: What happens if my messages are flagged as violations?
Messages may be blocked, and fines of $500–$2,000 per violation may be applied. Repeated infractions risk permanent suspension.

Q4: Where can I check if my campaign is compliant?
Submit a support ticket via PXME’s Help Widget, and our team will review your messaging strategy for compliance.