Messaging Compliance Addendum — HoneycombHQ
Legal

Messaging Compliance Addendum

Effective Date: 03/01/2026  ·  Last Updated: 04/02/2026  ·  Governing Law: State of Wyoming, United States

This Messaging Compliance Addendum ("Addendum") is incorporated by reference into the HoneycombHQ Terms of Service and applies to all users who send SMS, MMS, or other electronic messages through the HoneycombHQ platform. By using the messaging features of the platform, you agree to the terms of this Addendum.

1. Purpose and Scope

This Addendum sets forth the specific obligations of HoneycombHQ users with respect to A2P (Application-to-Person) 10DLC messaging compliance, TCPA compliance, carrier requirements, and The Campaign Registry (TCR) obligations.

This Addendum applies to all SMS/MMS messaging conducted through the platform, including but not limited to: marketing messages, appointment reminders, transactional notifications, lead follow-up sequences, and any other automated or bulk messaging.

2. User Registration Obligations

You are solely responsible for completing all required registrations before sending A2P messages through the platform.

2.1 Brand Registration

You must register your business brand with The Campaign Registry (TCR) prior to sending any A2P 10DLC messages. Brand registration requires:

  • A valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID
  • Legal business name and address
  • Business type and industry vertical
  • Website URL and contact information

HoneycombHQ may facilitate brand registration through its platform or messaging provider integrations, but registration approval is subject to TCR review and is not guaranteed. HoneycombHQ is not liable for registration denials or delays.

2.2 Campaign Registration

Each distinct messaging use case must be registered as a separate campaign with TCR. You must accurately describe the type of messages being sent, the opt-in method used to collect consent, sample message content, and whether messages contain embedded links, phone numbers, or age-gated content. Misrepresenting campaign content during registration is a violation of carrier policies and may result in campaign suspension and account termination.

3. Consent and Opt-In Requirements

You must obtain proper prior express written consent before sending any marketing or promotional SMS messages. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous; obtained at the point of data collection; accompanied by compliant opt-in disclosure language (see Section 4); and documented with a timestamp, IP address, form URL, and the exact opt-in language displayed.

3.1 One-to-One Consent Rule (FCC 2024)

Effective under the FCC's 2024 consent standards, consent must be obtained on a one-to-one basis. Blanket "partner marketing" opt-in clauses are no longer valid. You may not purchase or acquire contact lists and treat prior consent to another entity as valid. Each brand must obtain its own independent consent from each subscriber. Sub-account users must each obtain their own consent — consent obtained by the agency is not transferable to the client.

3.2 Consent is Non-Transferable

Consent obtained by one business entity may not be transferred to, sold to, or used by another business entity under any circumstances. This applies to mergers, acquisitions, list purchases, and affiliate arrangements.

3.3 Double Opt-In (DOI) — Strongly Recommended

Double Opt-In (DOI) is strongly recommended by CTIA and carriers as best practice for A2P 10DLC senders. How DOI works: (1) the subscriber provides their number and checks the consent box; (2) your platform sends an SMS asking them to confirm by replying YES; (3) only after the YES reply should marketing messages be sent. DOI is especially important for campaigns with higher complaint rates, re-engagement campaigns, or any list where source of consent is unclear.

3.4 Transactional vs. Marketing Messages

Transactional messages require a lower standard of consent than marketing messages. However, you may not include promotional content in transactional messages without obtaining express written consent for marketing communications.

4. Required Opt-In Disclosure Elements

At every point where you collect a phone number for SMS communication, you must display compliant opt-in language containing ALL of the following elements:

  • Your legal business name
  • A clear description of the type of messages the subscriber will receive
  • Approximate message frequency (e.g., "up to 4 messages per month")
  • The statement: "Message and data rates may apply"
  • Instructions to reply STOP to opt out and HELP for help
  • A link to your Privacy Policy
  • A link to your Terms of Service

5. Opt-Out, Revocation, and Unsubscribe Requirements

Effective April 11, 2025, the FCC's updated consent revocation rules apply to all A2P SMS senders.

5.1 Accepted Opt-Out Keywords

You must honor opt-out requests for: STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, and QUIT — and any other reasonable common-language revocation of consent. Refusing to honor non-keyword revocations is a violation of the FCC's April 2025 rules.

5.2 Revocation Timing

Opt-out requests must be processed within ten (10) business days. You may send a single opt-out confirmation message within five (5) minutes of receiving the request. No further marketing messages may be sent after that confirmation.

5.3 Post-Opt-Out Restrictions

  • You may not send any further marketing or promotional messages to opted-out contacts
  • You may not send "one last message" promotions or re-engagement messages to opted-out contacts
  • Transactional messages may continue only if strictly necessary and only with prior separate consent

5.4 Re-Subscription

Contacts who have opted out must be able to re-subscribe by texting START. Upon re-subscription, a new opt-in confirmation must be sent before any further marketing messages are delivered.

5.5 Recordkeeping

All opt-out requests and confirmations must be logged with timestamp, channel, and the keyword or phrase used. These records must be retained for a minimum of four (4) years.

6. Prohibited Message Content (SHAFT-C)

6.1 SHAFT-C Prohibited Categories

  • Sex: Sexually explicit or adult content, including escort services
  • Hate: Content that promotes hatred, discrimination, or violence against any group
  • Alcohol: Alcohol-related promotions unless age-gating and carrier approval are in place
  • Firearms: Promotion of firearms, ammunition, or accessories
  • Tobacco/Vaping: Tobacco, e-cigarette, or vaping product promotions
  • Cannabis (C): Cannabis, marijuana, or CBD product promotions, regardless of state legality

6.2 Additional Prohibited Content

  • Phishing, smishing, or fraudulent messages of any kind
  • Loan advertisements or debt collection messages without proper registration
  • Get-rich-quick or pyramid scheme promotions
  • Messages impersonating another person, brand, or government entity
  • Any content that violates federal, state, or local law

Violations may result in immediate campaign suspension by carriers without notice. HoneycombHQ is not liable for carrier-imposed suspensions resulting from your content violations.

7. Message Content Standards

  • Messages must clearly identify your business name
  • Messages must not use deceptive subject lines, sender names, or misleading content
  • Every marketing message must include opt-out instructions (e.g., "Reply STOP to unsubscribe")
  • Links must lead to legitimate, functional web pages
  • Branded short domains are preferred over generic URL shorteners
  • Message content must match the campaign use case registered with TCR

8. Required Auto-Reply Messages

Critical: Each auto-reply must not exceed 160 characters. Messages over 160 characters split into multiple segments, triggering carrier filtering and potential campaign rejection. Count characters before submitting.

Welcome / Opt-In Confirmation

Required for all recurring campaigns. Send immediately after a new subscriber opts in:

[Brand]: Thanks for subscribing! Msg frequency varies.
Msg & data rates may apply.
Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help.

Double Opt-In Confirmation Request (Recommended)

Send as the first message before any marketing content is delivered:

[Brand]: Reply YES to confirm you'd like to receive
messages from us. Msg & data rates may apply.
Reply STOP to cancel.

Opt-Out Confirmation

Send within 5 minutes of receiving STOP or other revocation. Only message permitted after opt-out:

[Brand]: You have been unsubscribed and will receive
no further messages. To resubscribe, reply START.

HELP Response

Send immediately after receiving HELP keyword:

[Brand]: For help, contact [email protected].
Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel.

9. Quiet Hours and Sending Time Restrictions

Violations of quiet hours rules can result in TCPA liability of up to $1,500 per message per violation and carrier-imposed campaign suspension.

9.1 Prohibited Sending Hours

You may not send any SMS messages before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM in the recipient's local time zone, regardless of your own time zone.

  • All scheduling must account for the recipient's local time, not your business's local time
  • For contacts whose time zone is unknown, default to the most restrictive interpretation
  • Campaigns that cross into restricted hours for any recipients must be split or adjusted

9.2 Holiday and Peak Period Caution

During late November through early January, carriers apply heightened content scrutiny and may slow delivery. Pre-schedule campaigns earlier, split large sends, and monitor delivery queues.

9.3 Platform Responsibility

HoneycombHQ may provide scheduling tools to assist with quiet hours compliance, but you are solely responsible for configuring all messages to respect recipient time zones. HoneycombHQ is not liable for quiet hours violations resulting from your campaign configuration.

10. Recordkeeping Obligations

You are responsible for maintaining the following records for a minimum of four (4) years:

  • Consent records: date, time, IP address, form URL, and opt-in language shown
  • Opt-out records: date, time, and keyword or phrase used
  • Campaign registration documentation
  • Message logs sufficient to demonstrate compliance

HoneycombHQ may provide logging tools but does not guarantee the completeness or long-term retention of platform logs. You must maintain your own independent records.

11. Carrier Compliance and Throughput

You acknowledge that message delivery is not guaranteed and is subject to carrier filtering; throughput rates may be throttled based on your TCR brand score; and sending messages that violate carrier policies may result in filtering, blocking, or campaign deregistration. HoneycombHQ is not responsible for carrier-imposed delivery limitations.

12. Platform Compliance Tools

HoneycombHQ provides opt-out keyword handling, unsubscribe list management, and message logging as a convenience. These tools do not constitute legal compliance advice. You remain solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and carrier requirements. HoneycombHQ does not review message content for compliance prior to sending and is not liable for your compliance failures.

13. Violations and Consequences

Violation of this Addendum, carrier policies, or applicable law may result in: immediate suspension or termination of your messaging capabilities; deregistration of your TCR brand and campaigns; termination of your HoneycombHQ account without refund; and reporting of violations to carriers, TCR, or regulatory authorities.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HoneycombHQ and Clogenta Inc from any claims, fines, penalties, or damages arising from your failure to comply with this Addendum.

14. Updates to This Addendum

HoneycombHQ reserves the right to update this Addendum at any time to reflect changes in law, carrier policy, or TCR requirements. Continued use of messaging features after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Addendum.

15. Contact for Compliance Questions

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SMS Disclosure: By providing your phone number on this site, you consent to receive SMS messages from HoneycombHQ by Clogenta Inc.

Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out. Reply HELP for help. We do not sell or share SMS opt-in data with third parties.