Quick answer. RCS consent works on an explicit opt-in model: a business must get a consumer’s clear, affirmative permission before sending RCS messages — consent can never be presumed from browsing or a past purchase. The opt-in mechanism (a texted keyword, QR code, web form, or deep link) must be clearly described, and the first message should confirm the subscription. For marketing, US rules require prior express written consent; for transactional or informational messages, prior express consent is enough.
Consent must also be documented. Businesses should record how and when each consumer opted in — the source, method, and timestamp — and keep those records (the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule expects at least five years). That documentation is the proof of consent if a complaint or lawsuit ever arises.
Consent is tracked per channel and per program. In SimplyRCS, a contact can be opted in for one channel or topic and not another, and the platform automatically suppresses messages to anyone who hasn’t consented or has opted out.
Key facts
- Consent must be affirmative and explicit; it cannot be inferred from behavior (CTIA / carrier requirements).
- The opt-in disclosure (call-to-action) must state the brand, the program purpose, message frequency, that “message and data rates may apply,” and link to terms and a privacy policy.
- Keep consent records with timestamp, source, and method — 5+ years (FTC TSR).