# TCPA compliance ### 📝 What is TCPA? The [Telephone Consumer Protection Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_Consumer_Protection_Act_of_1991) (TCPA), which was signed into law in 1991, is federal legislation pertaining to telemarketing. Designed to protect the customers’ right to privacy, it was brought into effect to provide consumers a much-needed relief from unsolicited sales calls and messages. ### 📝 Why do I have to comply with the TCPA? That law sounds like an ancient story, but it bites nowadays marketers and businessmen. To simply put, you must ensure that your messaging content and contact list is in [compliance with TCPA guidelines](https://www.statflo.com/security-compliance.html#sct-learnmore) as well as all applicable State and Federal laws because subscribers can sue you if you don’t adhere to these guidelines. Hence those who send unwanted messages can be hit with fines up to $1,500 *per* text message *per* customer. Ouch. 😰 ### 📝 Checklist for keeping yourself safe and sound * Get consent from your customers to receive any information from your business via SMS. (Add one checkbox content) * Keep records of consent clear on your website. (Privacy Policy and Terms of Services) * Disclose easy and accurate opt-out instructions, such as a “STOP” keyword * Disclose that normal messaging and data rates may apply. * Only message people between the hours of 9am and 9pm. * Be specific about what you’re offering. Use short code (type YES to opt-in) or shortened link. ## --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://smsgem.gitbook.io/smsgem-document/tcpa-compliance.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.