Why You Can't Escape Political Texts This Election Season

As the US midterm elections near, many people find their phones buzzing with a torrent of political text messages. From pleas for donations to reminders to vote, these messages are hard to ignore. But the overwhelming volume raises questions about privacy and commercial data use.

Explosion of Political Texting

The sheer number of political texts has skyrocketed. In 2022 alone, approximately 15 billion political texts were sent, according to data from call-blocking company Robokiller. Some estimates, like that from Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail, suggest the number could be as high as 30 billion this election year.

This surge follows a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that eased regulations on mass calls and texts, prompting campaigns to ramp up their outreach efforts significantly. As a result, many people are inundated with campaign messages and reminders from various candidates and political organizations.

Good News and Bad News

According to Teresa Murray, director of consumer watchdog group PIRG, there’s both good and bad news about this deluge of messages. The bad news? Political texts are exempt from do-not-call list regulations, meaning they can continue to bombard your inbox. The good news? With the elections quickly approaching, the influx of messages will likely diminish shortly after the voting concludes.

Managing the Flood of Messages

So what can you do to combat this flood of political texts? The most straightforward approach is to reply with “stop” or to report the messages as spam. While this action may not yield immediate results, if enough recipients report a number, it could lead to that number being blocked by your service provider.

If you suspect that a number is using an autodialer without consent, you can file a complaint with the FCC or your state attorney general. However, it’s crucial that you avoid clicking links from unknown numbers, as some messages may be scams disguised as legitimate campaign outreach.

“In between all of the ‘legitimate’ political texts, there are scams,” advises Murray. “If you want to donate, go straight to the candidate's official website.”

Where Do They Get Your Number?

You might wonder how these political campaigns obtained your phone number. If you've previously donated to a candidate or participated in political surveys, it’s all too common for campaigns to have your details. Yet, the process goes beyond that. Many campaigns purchase data from brokers who compile it from both public records and private sources, including online behaviors.

As Sara Geoghegan from the Electronic Privacy Information Center notes, the data broker ecosystem lacks regulation and can lead to inaccurate or outdated information. This can result in you receiving texts about elections in areas where you no longer reside.

The Impact on Civic Engagement

The concern stems beyond just annoyance at these messages. Geoghegan warns that this barrage of unsolicited texts can actually discourage people from engaging civically. Continuous surveillance and privacy invasions could lead individuals to feel frustrated and withdrawn from participating in future elections.

Many recipients feel disillusioned, impacting their willingness to donate or support campaigns. This ongoing pressure contributes to a cycle of disengagement from political processes.

Long-Term Solutions and Privacy Tips

Reducing the number of unwanted political texts often begins with being judicious about sharing your phone number. Consider using temporary numbers for online purchases or interactions where your phone isn’t necessary. For instance, a free Google Voice number can help compartmentalize your communications, minimizing disruptions from political outreach.

Murray seldom shares her primary number and has also noticed a spike in political messaging. It emphasizes that while individuals may feel overwhelmed by persistent outreach, they should limit their exposure moving forward.

Advocating for Change

While individual actions can help reduce the volume of messages, the broader problem may require legislative action. Advocates like Geoghegan and Murray suggest pushing representatives to enforce stricter regulations and ensure compliance regarding unsolicited texts.

“You can’t change everything in a matter of days,” says Murray. “But you can advocate for a better system in the long run.”

In the meantime, replying with “stop” can help, but it’s advisable not to let it consume your focus. Engaging in the political process remains crucial, but so does protecting your personal information from intrusive contacts.