> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.messagedesk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Restricted Messaging Types

> Avoid SMS rejections by understanding restricted SHAFT-C content: sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, tobacco, and cannabis. Stay compliant with carrier rules.

# Forbidden messaging types (SHAFT-C) for SMS

Carriers block certain message types by default. Use this guide to avoid rejections and stay compliant.

## What's always prohibited

Don't send these via SMS/MMS:

* High‑risk financial services (payday/short‑term/high‑interest loans, third‑party auto/mortgage/student loans, crypto). Also avoid links to donation sites.
* Third‑party lead generation (buying, selling, or sharing consumer data). No cold outreach without prior consent.
* Debt collection (by third parties), consolidation, reduction, or credit repair programs.
* "Get rich quick," risky investment pitches, multi‑level marketing (MLM).
* Illegal substances (cannabis/marijuana, prescription drugs not OTC, vaping; CBD is not permitted by US carriers).

## SHAFT‑C: content blocked or restricted

* Sexually inappropriate content (adult/explicit).
* Hate speech or profanity.
* Alcohol: allowed only with proper age‑gating; permitted on Toll‑Free, Short Code, and Long Code.
* Firearms and depictions/endorsements of violence: allowed only with age‑gating; permitted on Toll‑Free, Short Code, and Long Code.
* Tobacco: prohibited on Toll‑Free; allowed on Short Code and Long Code only with age‑gating. Vaping is prohibited everywhere.
* Cannabis: prohibited for US messaging (federally illegal; CBD not allowed by carriers).

## Special requirements for alcohol and beverage businesses

If you operate a brewery, beverage distributor, liquor store, or similar alcohol-related business, you must follow these additional requirements:

**Age-gated opt-in requirements:**

* Your website must have an age gate with manual date of birth (DOB) entry.
* All opt-in forms must include age-gated elements, such as entering DOB or proof of being 21+.
* Simple checkboxes stating "I am 21+" are not sufficient.

**Prohibited messaging content:**
Even with proper age-gating in place, carriers block messages containing promotional keywords related to alcohol purchases. Don't send messages with phrases like:

* "Buy XYZ beer"
* "Liquor sale"
* "Purchase wine"
* Similar direct purchase language for alcoholic beverages

These keywords trigger carrier-level delivery issues and result in message filtering or blocking, regardless of your registration status.

**What you can send:**

* Event notifications (e.g., "Join us for our tasting event this Saturday")
* General updates about your business
* Order status notifications (without promotional purchase language)
* Delivery and order reminders

## Gambling

* Prohibited on Toll‑Free.
* Allowed on Short Code or Long Code only with proper age‑gating.

## Quick allowance guide

| Category                     | SMS/MMS status     | Notes                                                                 |
| :--------------------------- | :----------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| High‑risk financial services | Not allowed        | Includes crypto; avoid donation links.                                |
| Third‑party lead gen         | Not allowed        | No buying/selling/sharing consent lists; no cold outreach.            |
| Debt collection/forgiveness  | Mostly not allowed | First‑party account notices may be OK; third‑party collection is not. |
| Get‑rich‑quick / MLM         | Not allowed        | Investment "tips" and wealth promises are blocked.                    |
| Cannabis/CBD/vaping          | Not allowed        | US carriers block; vaping always prohibited.                          |
| Alcohol                      | Restricted         | Age‑gating required; allowed on TF/SC/LC.                             |
| Firearms/violence            | Restricted         | Age‑gating required; allowed on TF/SC/LC.                             |
| Tobacco                      | Restricted         | Age‑gating on SC/LC; not allowed on TF.                               |
| Gambling                     | Restricted         | Allowed on SC/LC with age‑gating; not on TF.                          |

## What's typically okay

* Legitimate financial institutions sending transactional alerts (e.g., fraud alerts, appointment reminders) with proper consent.

## Examples of prohibited content

* "Apply now for a same‑day payday loan. Guaranteed approval."
* "Buy this crypto before it 10x's. Exclusive wealth alert."
* "We can erase your debt. Click to enroll."
* "Weekend vape deals. 20% off."

## Important

This is not legal advice. Carriers can block or filter messages at their discretion. Consult your legal counsel for your specific use case.