# Compliance

Textbelt is implementing changes in response to regulatory and compliance requirements.  These changes are effective January 3rd, 2023.

### Sender identification

A "sender name" is the name of the business, organization, or person you're representing when you send an SMS.  *Every SMS conversation must include the sender name*.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If an SMS message does not contain your sender name the first time you message someone, the sender name will be automatically appended to your message.
{% endhint %}

There are two ways to set the sender name:

* **Account-wide:** Set a default sender name by going to `https://textbelt.com/account?key=<your key>`
* **Per-message:** Set the `sender` parameter in your POST request.

Sender name is *not* appended if it appears elsewhere in your message, or if you are sending follow-up messages.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Sender name value is used strictly for compliance purposes.  It does *not* override the "From" number for the SMS sender.
{% endhint %}

### Opt-out

An "opt-out" is a way for the customer to block future SMS.  Textbelt handles opt-outs automatically, but regulations require senders to include opt-out information in their SMS.

The standard form of opt-out is "Reply STOP to unsubscribe".  This opt-out is appended automatically the first time you message a new user.  It is *not* appended if "STOP" appears elsewhere in your message.

#### Opt-in

To opt back in, the recipient must send "START" in reply.  There is no way to force the recipient to opt back in.  Only the original recipient can opt-in.


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