How to Resolve SMS Compliance Issues and Ensure Approval
SMS compliance is a critical step for ensuring your messaging campaigns meet regulatory standards. Below, we outline common reasons for compliance issues and provide actionable steps to resolve them.
Common Reasons for SMS Compliance Rejection
Missing Privacy Policy: A privacy policy is essential for compliance. Ensure your website includes a privacy policy that:
Outlines who have access to user data, including third parties.
Explains how data security and privacy are maintained.
Provides options for users to opt out or change data permissions.
Specifies data usage and storage duration.
Ensure the policy is easily accessible on your site.
Mismatch in Legal Business Information: Compliance can be rejected if the legal business name and address do not match your US EIN/tax records. Ensure the information entered in the General Settings and SMS Number pages matches your tax forms. Use your legal entity name, not a DBA.
Improper Opt-In Collection Methods: If your opt-in webform is not integrated with Spark or does not sync leads to Spark, compliance may be rejected. Use an eligible opt-in webform that is correctly connected to Spark to ensure leads are verifiable.
Missing Consent Checkboxes: Compliance reviewers expect multiple consent checkboxes (e.g., agreement to receive marketing texts, acknowledgment of message/data rates). Update your opt-in areas to include these checkboxes on every page where phone numbers are collected.
Steps to Achieve SMS Compliance
Review and Update Your Website:
Add a comprehensive privacy policy.
Ensure opt-in forms include all required consent checkboxes.
Verify that your opt-in methods are properly integrated with Spark.
Verify Business Information:
Double-check that your legal business name and address match your tax records.
Update this information in the General Settings and SMS Number pages.
Submit and Monitor Compliance Requests:
Fill out the SMS compliance form completely.
Use the address that matches your Tax ID.
Monitor your dashboard for progress updates.
Compliance typically involves three steps, and approval may take up to four days.
Consider Using Spark Tools: If compliance is repeatedly rejected, use the Spark page builder to create a compliant website. Include your logo, school name, privacy policy, and opt-in webform. Once approved, you can update the settings to use your main site.
Troubleshooting Non-Compliant Status
If your SMS phone number shows as non-compliant, it means the messaging profile needs compliance approval. Complete the SMS compliance form and ensure all information matches your Tax ID.
By following these steps and addressing the common issues outlined above, you can resolve SMS compliance problems and ensure approval for your messaging campaigns.