The SMS Coach, Justin H Mueller

Channel and Platform Policies

A source-linked guide to channel and platform policy and how this authority layer fits into U.S. A2P messaging programs.

4source records
3distinct source types
4distinct source links

What this authority layer covers

Channel-owner policies and implementation requirements for RCS, WhatsApp, Apple Messages for Business, and Meta business messaging.

Authorities and official sources

Each entry explains what the source says, where its limits are, and what it does not establish.

Channel or platform policy · Current

WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy

#

Not yet reviewed · No current substantive review date recorded

Existing claims, limitations, assessment and historical verification labels are preserved; their presence is not evidence of a current review.

How this authority relates to messaging

SMS/MMS applicability has not been assessed for this record. Its inclusion identifies an authority for review; it does not establish applicability to your program.

What the source establishes

  • Businesses must obtain recipient opt-in, honor opt-out requests, use approved message templates for business-initiated messages outside the 24-hour customer-service window, and comply with platform messaging rules.

Limits and important context

  • The policy does not supply every template-review, pricing, quality-rating, technical, country-specific, or prohibited-industry rule.

Consent standard stated in the source

  • recipient opt-in

Official and supporting sources

  1. Opt-in permission; opt-out requests; approved Message Templates outside the 24-hour window
Source and review details
Jurisdiction
Channel or platform
Source type
Channel or platform policy
Recorded operative status
Current

Platform privacy notice · Current

Apple Messages for Business — Messages for Business privacy notice

#

Not yet reviewed · No current substantive review date recorded

Existing claims, limitations, assessment and historical verification labels are preserved; their presence is not evidence of a current review.

How this authority relates to messaging

SMS/MMS applicability has not been assessed for this record. Its inclusion identifies an authority for review; it does not establish applicability to your program.

What the source establishes

  • Apple documents user-initiated conversations, session identifiers, and authorization given directly to a business for subsequent Business Updates.

Limits and important context

  • The privacy notice dated February 11, 2026 is not a complete sender rulebook and does not establish all registration, content, automation, routing, or enforcement requirements.

Official and supporting sources

  1. “Messages for Business & Privacy”; Business Updates paragraphs
Source and review details
Jurisdiction
Channel or platform
Source type
Platform privacy notice
Recorded operative status
Current

Channel or platform policy · Current

Google RCS for Business

#

Not yet reviewed · No current substantive review date recorded

Existing claims, limitations, assessment and historical verification labels are preserved; their presence is not evidence of a current review.

How this authority relates to messaging

SMS/MMS applicability has not been assessed for this record. Its inclusion identifies an authority for review; it does not establish applicability to your program.

What the source establishes

  • Google requires partner registration, agent creation, brand verification, prelaunch testing, launch approval, a working website, privacy and terms links, and opt-out capability for RCS for Business agents.

Limits and important context

  • Launch is carrier and network dependent; carrier-managed launches may require direct carrier agreements, and verification occurs when launch is requested.

Official and supporting sources

  1. Google for Developers, Launch an agent
Source and review details
Jurisdiction
Channel or platform
Source type
Channel or platform policy
Recorded operative status
Current

Platform change notice · Deprecated

Meta Messenger / Instagram business messaging

#

Not yet reviewed · No current substantive review date recorded

Existing claims, limitations, assessment and historical verification labels are preserved; their presence is not evidence of a current review.

How this authority relates to messaging

SMS/MMS applicability has not been assessed for this record. Its inclusion identifies an authority for review; it does not establish applicability to your program.

What the source establishes

  • Messenger Marketing Messages and Recurring Notifications were deprecated effective February 10, 2026, with new integrations closed September 1, 2025.

Limits and important context

  • Feature availability and proactive messaging are platform-controlled; remaining business messaging capabilities continue to depend on current Meta product and policy rules.

Official and supporting sources

  1. Meta developer notice for Marketing Messages and Recurring Notifications deprecation
Source and review details
Jurisdiction
Channel or platform
Source type
Platform change notice
Recorded operative status
Deprecated

Continue with the most useful next step

Move from a jurisdiction or authority layer to the sources and tools most likely to answer the next question.

Get a program-specific review

Use an advisory review when the result depends on facts that a public authority index cannot resolve.

See the advisory review