Forbidden Message Categories

The messaging use cases described below are strictly prohibited on Endear. These guidelines apply to all forms of messaging in Endear.

Jinesh Shah avatar
Written by Jinesh Shah
Updated over a week ago

We want to ensure that our messaging services remain compliant with regulations and carrier requirements. At Endear, we prioritize compliance and aim to provide clear guidelines to ensure seamless communication while upholding regulatory standards. If you have any questions or need further clarification, our dedicated support team is here to assist you. Feel free to reach out to us for any assistance.

Forbidden Use Cases

Certain types of messages are not allowed, and we take these restrictions seriously to maintain a safe and reliable messaging environment for all users. It is essential to refrain from engaging in the following activities listed in the table below. Please note that these forbidden use cases are not only related to the content of the message but the business type itself.


Additional Restrictions

Even if your specific use case is not listed as prohibited, certain message content may still be subject to restrictions.


Forbidden message categories for SMS/MMS in the US/Canada

Category

Examples

Notes

High-risk financial services

  • Payday loans

  • Short term high-interest loans

  • New loan soliciting

  • Third-party loans

  • Student loans

  • Cryptocurrency

  • Stocks and investing platforms

"Third-party" means originating from any party other than the one which will service the loan.

Examples of third-party loans could include: auto, mortgage, personal, etc.

First party loan content is acceptable if it is not promotional messaging.

No businesses that solely operate in stocks, investing, or cryptocurrency are allowed to send messages. If there is a mixed use case where that is a partial aspect of the business it may be approved based on the other use case content.

Third-party lead generation services and marketing

  • Companies, NGOs or political campaigns that buy, sell, or share consumer information.

  • Affiliate lending

  • Affiliate marketing

  • Deceptive marketing

Any third-party use cases are strictly forbidden. Consent must be obtained directly from end-users.

Political use case customers sending messages are not able to use voter registration databases to collect consent and outreach end-users.

Any business with a terms of service or privacy policy that mentions sharing or selling consumer data/opt-in information is considered noncompliant.

Debt collection or forgiveness

  • Third-party debt collection

  • Debt consolidation

  • Debt reduction

  • Debt relief

  • Credit/debt repair

"Third-party" means originating from any party other than the one who is owed the debt. For example, a hospital could send messages regarding bills for its own patients, assuming they provided opt-in to receive that messaging.

While third party debt collection is not permitted, a debt collection business that has direct consent from end-users to send related content may do so.

Debt consolidation, debt reduction and credit repair programs are prohibited regardless if there is first-party consent.

“Get rich quick” schemes

  • Deceptive work-from-home programs

  • Risk investment opportunities

  • Pyramid schemes

  • Mystery Shopping

  • Multi Level Marketing (MLM)

This is different from outreach about employment as a result of compliant opt-in practices, messages from brokerages to their members, investment news alerts, or other investment-related messages.

Illegal substances/articles

  • Cannabis

  • CBD

  • Kratom

  • Paraphernalia products

  • Vape/E-cigs

  • Fireworks

Cannabis, CBD, Kratom, or drug paraphernalia product businesses are prohibited from utilizing messaging on Endear, regardless of content. These restrictions apply regardless of the federal or state legality. All use cases for these are disallowed from sending messages whether it contains cannabis content or not, even for 2FA purposes it is not permissible for such entities.

Prescription drugs

  • Drugs that require a prescription

Offers for drugs that cannot be sold over-the-counter are forbidden regardless if the business is a licensed professional.

Gambling

  • Casino apps

  • Websites that offer gambling

  • Sweepstakes

  • 50/50 Raffles

  • Contests

  • Betting/Sports picks

Gambling traffic is prohibited.

"S.H.A.F.T." use cases and electronic smoking devices

  • Sex

  • Hate

  • Alcohol

  • Firearms

  • Tobacco

  • Vape/E-ciggs

Alcohol traffic is allowed as long as proper age gating procedures are in place. Age gating means that website users must input their date of birth. It cannot be a yes or no question. Firearms, Tobacco, Vape, and E-cigarettes are not allowed regardless of age gating.

Notice: Endear may disallow any other type of messaging content in its sole discretion, and has the right to block any messaging content as well as impose any fines that may have been imposed due to prohibited messaging content being sent via Endear.

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