The act of enrolling an individual’s phone number to receive unsolicited and often unwanted text messages is a process involving the submission of that number to entities that distribute such messages. These entities may range from legitimate marketing companies to less reputable sources engaged in questionable advertising practices. Examples include submitting a phone number to a website promising promotional offers, or unknowingly agreeing to receive marketing texts when signing up for a seemingly unrelated service.
The impact of this activity can range from minor annoyance to significant inconvenience for the recipient. While some may view it as a harmless marketing tactic, others consider it an invasion of privacy and a drain on their time and attention. Historically, the rise of mobile communication has been accompanied by an increase in unsolicited messages, leading to legislative efforts aimed at curbing the practice and protecting consumers.