Auto signed up to SMS marketing and STOP number does not work

King_Mustard

When we phone the local Indian restaurant to make an order, the number automatically gets added to their SMS marketing list.

The 5-digit STOP code listed in each SMS does not work.

This has been occuring for the past six months.

When you call them to get your number taken off the list, it just gets put back on when you order again.

It is very frustrating.

Is this breaking any laws?

Aylesbury_Duck

I believe so. You can report them to the ICO. I think they're allowed to text you on that number for legitimate messages around the service, e.g. to tell you your food's on its way, but they're not allowed to use your number for marketing purposes without your consent.

Might be simpler to just block texts from their number, unless you need order updates.

Alderbank

I don't think they are intentionally breaking any laws.

SMS marketing is regulated by GDPR and PECR rules which allow this soft opt-in exception which lets them contact previous customers. To comply, the STOP code should work. However the restaurant won't have written their own code, they will pay a third party provider such as ClickSend.

It sounds to me that their provider`s software has developed a bug.

mta999

could you hide your number when calling them? I believe you dial 141 or maybe #31# before their number to do this