Forbidden Message Categories for US and Canada
Stay compliant2 min readUpdated 2026-03-12
Forbidden Message Categories for US and Canada
US and Canadian carriers prohibit certain content categories in SMS messaging. Sending prohibited content results in message blocking, campaign suspension, and potential fines.
SHAFT Categories (Universally Prohibited)
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| S — Sex/Adult content | Explicit content, adult services, dating promotions |
| H — Hate speech | Discriminatory content, harassment |
| A — Alcohol | Alcohol promotions, liquor store deals |
| F — Firearms | Gun sales, ammunition promotions |
| T — Tobacco/Cannabis | Tobacco products, vaping, CBD, marijuana |
Additional Prohibited Content
- Gambling — Online casinos, sports betting promotions.
- Payday loans / Debt relief — Predatory lending promotions.
- Phishing — Messages impersonating banks, government agencies, or other businesses.
- Prescription drugs — Pharmaceutical promotions without proper licensing.
- Get-rich-quick schemes — Investment fraud, pyramid schemes.
- Illegal content — Anything illegal in the recipient's jurisdiction.
Consequences
- Immediate message blocking by carrier content filters.
- Campaign suspension by The Campaign Registry.
- Number deactivation for severe or repeated violations.
- Financial penalties passed through by carriers.
Gray Areas
Some content is allowed with proper licensing and restrictions:
- Alcohol: Some carriers allow with age-gating and responsible messaging disclaimers.
- Cannabis: Prohibited federally; some state-level exceptions exist but carrier policies remain restrictive.
When in doubt, contact JustCall support before sending.
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