Time to leave Tmobile.

There has been a lot of reaction to this unnecessarily prompted by a defective understanding that Laura Loomer holds and has spread. Welcome to the world of misinformation. I'll explain what is actually happening and why there is no need for concern.

There are a number of entities that are authorized to access parts of the infrastructure of various mobile providers for purposes such as transmitting messages. Some VOIP providers might use such interfaces so that text messages sent by their customers can be delivered. These interfaces may also be used by providers such as Twilio to support SMS marketing campaigns and provide a way for computer services to interact with customers over text.

There has been a growing problem with dubious people and entities using text services to broadcast scam text, such as false reports of a package that could not be delivered, telling a person they can resolve the problem by filling out a form at an attached link. A person may think that by entering their name, address, and credit card number, that they are paying the $0.75 for shipping. Or that they are getting a refund for something. In reality, they are handing over details of their payment to dishonest people.

In furtherance of obstructing such efforts and other problematic messages, T-Mobile is informing non-consumer entities that they will bear a burden for pumping such messages into the T-Mobile network. The application of fees for violations may motivate some of these providers to filter these messages out and drop customers trying to scam people or engage in illegal activity. The parties on which this puts a burden are not T-Mobile phone customers. As a T-Mobile user, the likely effect this will have on you is that your chances of receiving scam text will go down. SCAM and SPAM text are a real problem, and T-Mobile is taking action to address it.

Ignore those that are invoking fear and outrage with misinformation about this. This is something that lowers your risks.  It was especially convenient of them to start this rumor at a time when people are taking off for the holiday and are away, unable to respond. 

Kitten80 wrote:

...Also as my husband (military vet) has pointed out- this would be a direct violation of our 1st amendment rights in which he would be talking to a civil rights attorney...

 

The first amendment protects us against infringement by the government, not private companies.  A civil rights attorney wouldn't really help you with this.  But if it turns out to be true, then I will be leaving them as well.

NBTexas wrote:

As soon as I can I'm leaving all large carriers and going to try patriot mobile. I don't know what else to do. 
 

My guess is that users who would go to "Patriot Mobile" are the ones this was written for. In addition, this is to ensure their partners (MVNOs) that use their network (like Freedom Mobile, Patriot Mobile, etc.) also have the same standards of service. 

gramps28 wrote:

It's ironic that this was posted twice within minutes of each other from different posters.

https://community.t-mobile.com/plans-and-services-36/terms-of-service-pilicy-change-and-fines-against-customers-54984

Mmisinformation spreads fast.

Scottvan wrote:

I can’t find any information that verifies this.

Contrary to popular misinformation, these changes would have nothing to do with consumer accounts. The person that appears to be an originator of the concern about this has a defective understanding that is apparently contagious. She has inspired a lot of anger over it. 

Kitten80 wrote:

I seriously doubt this is true. They're suppose to legally inform users of something like this. Also as my husband (military vet) has pointed out- this would be a direct violation of our 1st amendment rights in which he would be talking to a civil rights attorney. 

 

Well, two things. You are correct in identifying this as misinformation. This is a change that wolkd be for non-consumer business partners. T-Movile woukd fine them for pumping unlawful or scam/spam messages into the network.

This wouldn't be first Amendment related. 1A woukd only be involved if there were a state actor/government actor involved in this. This is just T-Mobile (a non-state actor) telling business partners not to inject spam or scams into their network, and applying fines to further motivate them to not do so.

LeavingSoon wrote:

Is this true? 

 

BREAKING:

@TMobileLatino

has quietly updated their TOS to include fines for content they don’t agree with. 

Not quite. This is for non-consumer business partners that can pump mass text messages into the T-Mobile infrastructure. This isn't for us normal customers. Loomer has caused quite a stir with this misinformation and her defective understanding of what the change means. 

Eddieknj wrote:

This is the first result on Google when searching this, if this does in fact turn out to be true, I'll have to leave T-Mobile as well. 

Same. I bought this phone to communicate. If I can't properly do that, then what am I paying for?

Kitten80 wrote:

I seriously doubt this is true. They're suppose to legally inform users of something like this.

Isn't that what the "terms of service" agreement is? Us legally consenting to the limitations and stipulations of the service? Sure, its buried in a bunch of needless beaurocratic language, but that doesn't make it any less legally binding. Paypal did a similar thing (& lost many customers)