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Millions of mobile phones across the United States have been flooded with aggressive and repetitive political text messages as the midterm elections approach. While estimates vary, call-blocking company Robokiller recorded 15 billion political texts sent in 2022, aided by a Supreme Court decision that eased restrictions on certain mass messaging.
The Scale and Exemption of Political Texts
Alex Quilici, CEO of spam protection service YouMail, estimates an even higher volume of 25 billion to 30 billion political texts for this election cycle. Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director at PIRG, explains that these messages are legally exempt from standard do-not-call-list regulations. However, she notes the silver lining is that the election is on Tuesday, and the message volume is expected to drop significantly shortly after the results are determined.
How to Manage Unwanted Messages
Consumers can take several steps to stem the flow of texts, though immediate reductions are unlikely before Election Day. Murray advises replying with “stop” or blocking and reporting the numbers as spam to notify service providers. Users can also file complaints with the Federal Communications Commission or their state attorney general if they suspect unauthorized autodialers are being used. Additionally, Murray warns against clicking unknown links in text messages, recommending that voters donate directly through official candidate or PAC websites instead to avoid potential scams.
The Role of Data Brokers
Political campaigns acquire voter numbers and behavioral insights through data brokers who aggregate information from public voter rolls, online tracking, and loyalty programs. Sara Geoghegan, consumer privacy program director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, criticizes this unregulated ecosystem, noting that data errors and outdated addresses are widespread. Geoghegan cautions that invasive surveillance and constant messaging risk pushing citizens away from civic engagement rather than encouraging participation.
Future Solutions and Prevention
To minimize future spam, Murray suggests limiting how often personal phone numbers are shared during online shopping and using secondary VoIP numbers, such as Google Voice. While individual actions offer minor relief, both Murray and Geoghegan emphasize that long-term solutions require stronger congressional regulations and stricter enforcement by authorities like the FCC.
