Forum Discussion
Time to leave Tmobile.
Is this true?
BREAKING:
has quietly updated their TOS to include fines for content they don’t agree with. Beginning on January 1, 2024, they will be fining users who commit perceived violations on their bandwidth. Who knew in America that the phone providers would now be policing the content of your text messages to fine you. S.H.A.F.T. is an acronym that stands for Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. It outlines the categories of text messages specifically regulated due to moral and legal issues and is monitored and enforced by the Cellular Telephone Industries Association (CTIA) and the mobile carriers. Who gets to determine what is and isn’t “hateful”? Will political text messages be censored now as well going into 2024?
Hello all. These changes only apply to third-party messaging vendors that send commercial mass messaging campaigns for other businesses. The vendors will be fined if the content they are sending does not meet the standards in our code of conduct, which is in place to protect consumers from illegal or illicit content and aligns to federal and state laws.
- EddieknjNewbie Caller
This is the first result on Google when searching this, if this does in fact turn out to be true, I'll have to leave T-Mobile as well.
- NBTexasNewbie Caller
I’m pasting my reply that I left on another thread.
I searched T-Mobile website and I could not find anything. I decided to call and speak to a customer representative.
I told her what I read but cannot verify the information on T-Mobile website. She researched non-compliance fines and shaft. She told me that T-Mobile has not made a decision about this policy.
I clarified that this policy is being considered by T-Mobile. I asked her where can I find information about it. She told me there is nothing available yet. She read a paragraph that stated info on shaft and read T-Mobile will apply this policy on a case to case basis.
I brought to her attention that what she read states T-Mobile is going to implement this policy or already is implementing it. She said yes. ( I don’t think she understood the gravity of the policy).
I asked who I can speak to about this and I explained that this is not okay ( I was very polite) and I will be sharing this information on social media.
she placed me on hold when she came back she backtracked everything she just told me. She said her manager will report the information to upper-management and thank you for letting them know about the false information.She then said I forgot to get your name. I just chuckled. I gave her my name and told her great I’ll probably be receiving a fine soon.
As soon as I can I’m leaving all large carriers and going to try patriot mobile. I don’t know what else to do.
On a side note to the people who said this is absolutely not true. With all due respect and I come from a place of kindness. The days that we once knew of Civil liberties, privacy ethical business practices freedom of speech basically the constitution are being ignored and taken. The government agencies that use to protect us are now being weaponized against everyday civilians. Please wake up before we lose all of our rights. - FlosstenNewbie Caller
I do not agree with T mobile looking at my MESSAGES. Or any of my family's messages that are on this plan. You are violating our rights as free citizens of the USA. If there is a lawsuit against this I want to be part of it. PRIVACY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME IF YOU CAN'T HONOR THIS I DO NOT COMPLY. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS.
- Kitten80Newbie Caller
I seriously doubt this is true. They're suppose to legally inform users of something like this. Also as my husband (military vet) has pointed out- this would be a direct violation of our 1st amendment rights in which he would be talking to a civil rights attorney.
So I'm sure this story is nothing but false (again, they have to legally inform their users of this). If it were true, T-Mobile wouldn't be the only cell provider doing this since all carriers fall under the FTC, FCC and various other communication agencies that fall within the federal government.
- ScottvanNewbie Caller
I can’t find any information that verifies this.
- NSAkarenNewbie Caller
T-Mobile just notified Vonage that they will be implementing a new set of non-compliance fines for messaging traffic violations on all mobile channels that transverse their network (SMS and MMS Short Codes, Toll-Free Numbers and 10DLC).
Those new fines will start being applied from January 1st, 2024.
The non-compliance fine(s) will be assessed for every Sev-0 violation issued as per the following tier system:
- Tier 1: $2000 USD
For phishing, smishing, social engineering. - Tier 2: $1000 USD
For illegal content (content Must be legal in all 50 states, as well as federally) - Tier 3: $500 USD
For all other violations (including, but not limited to SHAFT).
Please find below some additional definitions that can assist you understand what the terminology means:
"Social Engineering"Means all techniques aimed at getting a target to reveal specific information or performing a specific action for illegitimate reasons. Examples include but not limited to phishing, smishing, and pretexting purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
"Illegal Content"Refers to any content that is not legal in all 50 states and federally. This list is outlined in the T-Mobile Code of Conduct section 5.1 "Unlawful, Unapproved or Illicit Content" (however not limited to) includes Cannabis, Marijuana, Adult Solicitation.
5.1 Unlawful, Unapproved, or Illicit Content
No messaging programs can run on the T-Mobile network that may promote unlawful, unapproved, or illicit content, including but not limited to:- SPAM
- Fraudulent or misleading messages
- Depictions or endorsements of violence
- Inappropriate content
- Profanity or hate speech
- Endorsement of illegal drugs
Programs must operate according to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In addition, the content must be legal across all 50 states. All content must be appropriate for the intended audience. Additional legal and ethical obligations apply when marketing to children under age 13, and such programs might be subject to additional review by T-Mobile.
"All Other Violations"Refers to Subsection 5.7 of the T-Mobile Code of Conduct, which outlines, but is not limited to "Age Gating"
5.7 Age Gating
T-Mobile may, at its discretion and at any time, suspend, terminate, or not Approve any Messaging Program it feels does not promote a legal, age-appropriate, or positive customer experience. All content must adhere to all applicable laws and support a functioning age gate when associated with but not limited to Sex, Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and/or any other age-restricted content that must comply with legal regulations. Nonacceptable age gating function includes but is not limited to Yes or No responses. The age-gate mechanism should include the date of birth verification during the consent opt-in of the consumer.
Note that if T-Mobile determines that a Violation continues and is excessive during the Term of the Agreement, T-Mobile reserves the right to permanently suspend brand, campaigns, and or Company’s access to the T-Mobile Network or the Company Connection. - Tier 1: $2000 USD
- alcedesRoaming Rookie
Flossten wrote:
I do not agree with T mobile looking at my MESSAGES. Or any of my family's messages that are on this plan. You are violating our rights as free citizens of the USA.
There isn't concerning the messages of you and your family. This is concerning mass text messages broadcast to people from other systems that have access to interfaces on T-Mobiles network. I've made a more detailed post in this thread if you would like to know what is really going on and how it differs from the popular misinformation on the topic.
https://community.t-mobile.com/android-9/time-to-leave-tmobile-54982?postid=212555#post212555
- alcedesRoaming Rookie
NBTexas wrote:
I’m pasting my reply that I left on another thread.
I searched T-Mobile website and I could not find anything. I decided to call and speak to a customer representative.
I told her what I read but cannot verify the information on T-Mobile website. She researched non-compliance fines and shaft. She told me that T-Mobile has not made a decision about this policy. .They won't have information on this since this is a change for non-consumer business partners that have the ability to pump mass-text messages into the T-Mobile infrastructure. These changes have nothing to do with consumer activity and everything to do with stopping the mass broadcast of scam, spam, and phishing links..
I made a more detailed post up-thread.
- barryrocksNewbie Caller
alcedes wrote:
There has been a lot of.
Ignore those that are invoking fear and outrage with misinformation about this. This is something that lowers your risks. It was especially convenient of them to start this rumor at a time when people are taking off for the holiday and are away, unable to respond.
They will trade their freedom for a fake sense of security. We need to stop trying to protect the stupid.
- gramps28Router Royalty
It's ironic that this was posted twice within minutes of each other from different posters.
Related Content
- 10 months ago
- 12 months ago
- 6 years ago