The 10DLC Compliance Handbook is now LIVE!!!

[David_Schwind]

After a long journey of collaboration across the messaging industry, the 10DLC Council is pleased to announce the release of the 10DLC Compliance Handbook. 

10DLC has become an important part of the U.S. messaging ecosystem, helping carriers, providers, and businesses create a more trusted environment for application-to-person (A2P) messaging. As the ecosystem has evolved, understanding the different compliance expectations and how they apply in practice has not always been straightforward. 

The 10DLC Compliance Handbook was created to help address that challenge. 

The handbook is the result of an extended effort by members of the 10DLC Council, bringing together participants from across the messaging ecosystem, including Direct Connect Aggregators (DCAs), Campaign Service Providers (CSPs), and other industry stakeholders. The goal was not to create another set of disconnected requirements. Instead, the Council set out to bring together the industry's collective experience and provide a common resource for understanding 10DLC compliance. The result is a handbook designed to provide greater clarity and consistency for everyone involved in 10DLC messaging. 

What's included in the handbook? 

The 10DLC Compliance Handbook provides a framework for understanding the compliance considerations associated with 10DLC messaging. Rather than focusing on a single provider's implementation or process, the handbook brings together guidance across several important areas of the 10DLC ecosystem, including: 

• Understanding 10DLC and the messaging ecosystem – An overview of how the different participants in the 10DLC ecosystem work together and where compliance fits into the overall messaging lifecycle. 

• Registration considerations – Guidance around the information and processes associated with registering brands and campaigns. 

• Consent and opt-in practices – An overview of the importance of obtaining appropriate consumer consent and maintaining a clear connection between the consent experience and the messaging program. 

• Brand and campaign information – Considerations around keeping the information associated with a messaging program accurate, consistent, and understandable. 

• Compliance throughout the messaging lifecycle – A broader view of compliance that goes beyond initial campaign registration and recognizes that messaging programs can change over time. 

• Industry roles and responsibilities – Greater context around how carriers, aggregators, DCAs, CSPs, and other participants contribute to a compliant messaging ecosystem. 

Why was the handbook needed? 

10DLC compliance has evolved considerably since the channel was introduced. As registration, vetting, and consumer-protection practices have developed, the amount of information available to messaging providers and businesses has also grown. That information can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Different organizations may use different terminology, organize information differently, or focus on different parts of the messaging lifecycle. For businesses operating across multiple providers and using multiple messaging products, this can make it challenging to understand the requirements of 10DLC messaging. The 10DLC Compliance Handbook brings that fragmented picture together. By providing an industry-focused reference, the handbook is intended to make it easier for businesses and messaging providers to understand the guidelines and principles behind 10DLC and apply them consistently. 

Compliance is an ongoing process: 

One of the key themes of the handbook is that compliance doesn't end when a campaign is registered. A compliant messaging program depends on maintaining alignment between what was registered, how consumers provided consent, what messages are actually being sent, and how recipients can interact with or opt out of the program. As businesses change their messaging programs, they should also consider whether their registration information, messaging practices, and compliance processes continue to accurately reflect what they are doing. This ongoing approach is important for building trust throughout the messaging ecosystem. 

A resource for the entire ecosystem: 

The 10DLC Compliance Handbook is intended to be useful to organizations at different points in the messaging ecosystem. For businesses / brands, it provides a detailed framework for understanding what goes into operating a responsible 10DLC messaging program. For CSPs, resellers, and other messaging enablers, it provides a common reference that can help explain compliance expectations to customers. For other industry participants, it provides a shared foundation for discussing compliance and supporting a healthier messaging ecosystem. The handbook is not intended to replace legal advice, carrier policies, or provider-specific requirements. Instead, it is designed to complement those resources by bringing together the industry's collective understanding of 10DLC compliance in one place. 

Looking ahead: 

The release of the 10DLC Compliance Handbook represents an important milestone for the 10DLC Council, but it is also the beginning of an ongoing conversation. The messaging ecosystem continues to evolve, and compliance expectations will continue to develop alongside it. The Council's work is intended to help the industry respond to those changes through continued collaboration and shared understanding. The 10DLC Compliance Handbook is now available as a resource for businesses, CSPs, aggregators, DCAs, and others working with 10DLC messaging. 

Download the 10DLC Compliance Handbook to learn more about the industry framework and considerations for operating a compliant 10DLC messaging program.