TCPA SMS Opt-Out Compliance: What You Must Know

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Understanding FCC’s “Reasonable Means” Rule for SMS Opt-Outs: Are You Prepared?

Maintaining TCPA SMS opt-out compliance is becoming more complex due to the FCC’s updated interpretation of what constitutes a “reasonable means” to stop unwanted text communications. As businesses rely more on SMS for outreach, understanding and honoring these opt-out requests is critical—not just for legal protection, but to preserve consumer trust.

At TLDCRM, we’ve taken proactive steps to help our clients stay compliant with these evolving standards. While our platform supports standard opt-out keywords like “Stop,” “Unsubscribe,” and “Cancel,” the FCC’s broader language means that a variety of phrases—even polite or vague ones—may legally count as valid opt-out requests.

Why It Matters

Recently, a TCPA lawsuit highlighted this issue. The plaintiff used the phrase “cease and desist all communications,” which wasn’t recognized by the system as a valid opt-out. While the case was ultimately dismissed, it raised red flags across the industry about how TCPA SMS opt-out compliance is interpreted and enforced under the new rule.

The FCC now requires that opt-out requests be honored for up to five years, making it more important than ever to capture and respond to these requests accurately and consistently. That means monitoring beyond just common opt-out terms and including variations, emotional expressions, or even replies in Spanish.

Examples of Recognized Opt-Out Phrases

To help you stay compliant, TLD has compiled a growing list of reasonable opt-out phrases. We strongly encourage all clients to regularly review the “Messaging” section of the TLDialer to scan for overlooked or ambiguous opt-out requests.

Direct & Common Opt-Outs:

  • Stop

  • Unsubscribe

  • End

  • Quit

  • Cancel

  • Remove

  • Opt out / Opt-out / Optout

Polite Requests & Variations:

  • Please stop

  • Please unsubscribe

  • No thank you / No thanks

  • I want to unsubscribe

  • Take me off your list

  • Remove me from this list

More Emphatic or Legal-Sounding Phrases:

  • I do not consent

  • Revoke consent

  • Cease / Desist

  • Stop all communication

  • I withdraw my consent

  • Enough

  • Do not contact me again

Spanish Language Opt-Outs:

  • Alto

  • Basta

  • Cancelar

  • No más

  • No quiero

  • Eliminar

  • Darse de baja

  • No me llames / No me envíes mensajes

What You Should Do Next

  1. Review your current opt-out keyword list within TLD and expand it to include these new, “reasonable” terms.

  2. Audit your messaging logs weekly to catch any manual opt-outs not flagged by automation.

  3. Train staff to recognize and escalate any ambiguous replies for review.

  4. Document and retain all opt-out requests for at least 5 years as part of your TCPA SMS opt-out compliance program.

Final Thoughts

TCPA SMS opt-out compliance is no longer as straightforward as catching the word “Stop.” With the FCC’s broadened interpretation of “reasonable means,” your organization must remain proactive in identifying and processing all forms of unsubscribe requests—no matter how they’re phrased.

At TLD, we’re here to support you. Our development team is actively updating the system to better recognize these diverse phrases. In the meantime, take steps to ensure your compliance processes are aligned with this new reality.

Have questions or suggestions about additional phrases? Reach out to support—we’re here to help.