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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,893
Registered: ‎05-01-2020

Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Is there something like the do not call list but for texting? Or is there a way to block numbers besides doing it for each individual text? The past couple weeks, I've been getting multiple political texts and i'm tired of it. There should be a way to avoid getting them altogether. Anyone know of something? tia

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,375
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Effectively political calls are exempt from the do not call list. 

 

They aren't supposed to text without permission but as a local news station reported earlier today granting permission can be passive since the TOS of most websites allow them to share information which essentially gives permission.

 

There is some kind of prohibition about auto dialers and a requirement for human intervention but I don't recall the specifics.

 

Blocking individual calls/texts is the only way I know but it is pretty useless when the contacts are through phone banks.

What is good for the goose today will also be good for the gander tomorrow.
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,578
Registered: ‎06-27-2010

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Just blocking individually is the only remedy. 

Super Contributor
Posts: 353
Registered: ‎07-22-2018

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

@ThinkingOutLoud, if you have an iPhone, you can block texts. Open the text>on the right side of the number is a small arrow, touch that>touch the info box>you'll find Block Caller, choose that>then go back>choose done. Then you can delete the text. If you have an android phone, you probably can google it. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,875
Registered: ‎12-14-2018

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??


@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:

Is there something like the do not call list but for texting? Or is there a way to block numbers besides doing it for each individual text? The past couple weeks, I've been getting multiple political texts and i'm tired of it. There should be a way to avoid getting them altogether. Anyone know of something? tia


For an unwanted text message you can type STOP and send it and you shouldn't receive any future texts from this number.

Valued Contributor
Posts: 985
Registered: ‎10-16-2021

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

I don't know if there is a similar program for text messages, but the Do Not Call list is a joke.  It is ignored because it apparently has no teeth.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,523
Registered: ‎12-02-2013

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Agree: Do Not Call list is a waste of time, effort and gov. Money !!!

 

Last September my carrier finally offered Nomorobo and within days the barrage of call from SC stopped.  It is free, easy to set up and works !

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,025
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

 

I don't know what kind of phone/electronics you have.  On my iPhone and iPad, I slide left or click on the phone number that appears at the top of a text and it gives me an option to block.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,025
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??


@Marp wrote:

Effectively political calls are exempt from the do not call list. 

 

They aren't supposed to text without permission but as a local news station reported earlier today granting permission can be passive since the TOS of most websites allow them to share information which essentially gives permission.

 

There is some kind of prohibition about auto dialers and a requirement for human intervention but I don't recall the specifics.

 

Blocking individual calls/texts is the only way I know but it is pretty useless when the contacts are through phone banks.


 

I block political phone numbers and emails as needed. I don't get anymore from those numbers after that. After a while, they stop coming from that particular party or politician.

 

And you respond with the word stop on business or political texts to stop them from coming.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,783
Registered: ‎03-30-2014

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

If you have an iPhone, just do like you do for phone calls.  

 

Set up your contacts completely, go to messages and select "unknown" and send them to that trash bin.  Then go to notifications and either block or not.  Apple will delete after a month.

 

However, just be aware that unless you leave notifications on or check your trash, you can miss something perhaps. Or not 🤣

 

Like always you can also block an individual number, but that turns into a loser's game.

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