Acceptable Use Policy

Last updated: April 25, 2026

1. The Short Version

Use ZestyText to send useful, friendly, opted-in event updates. Don't use it to harass, threaten, scam, or send anything that would embarrass you in court.

2. Strictly Prohibited Content

You may not use ZestyText to send messages that contain or promote:

• Threats, harassment, intimidation, or stalking — including direct or implied
• Sexual or sexually explicit content — including suggestive content, dating/escort solicitation, or anything sexual involving minors (this is reported immediately to authorities)
• Hate speech, discrimination, or slurs — based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any protected characteristic
• Violence or incitement to violence
• Scams, phishing, or fraud — including fake prizes, fake account alerts, or impersonation of banks/government/family
• Illegal activity — including drug sales, weapons trafficking, human trafficking, or anything else prohibited by US law
• Cannabis, CBD, kratom, or controlled substances — even if legal in some jurisdictions, these are restricted by carrier rules
• Alcohol promotion — only allowed for licensed businesses with proof of license
• Tobacco, vaping, or e-cigarette promotion
• Firearms, explosives, or fireworks promotion
• Gambling or sports betting — including lottery and sweepstakes solicitation
• Payday loans, debt forgiveness, debt collection, or "no credit check" financial offers
• Cryptocurrency promotion or solicitation
• Multi-level marketing or pyramid schemes
• Pornography, adult services, or escort services
• Prescription drug promotion — except by licensed pharmacies for legitimate appointment reminders
• Misleading content — including false urgency, fake winnings, or false identification
• Impersonation — pretending to be another person, brand, business, or government entity
• Political solicitation — fundraising, voter pressure, or partisan campaigning is restricted under our current carrier registration
• Religious solicitation directed at non-consenting recipients — religious communities sending updates to their own opted-in members is allowed
• Anything that would cause our SMS provider to suspend our account

3. SHAFT Categories

Carriers (the phone networks that deliver our messages) prohibit "SHAFT" content: Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. ZestyText complies with these rules and blocks SHAFT content automatically. Even if you create an event for a legitimate purpose, you may not include SHAFT content in messages.

4. Subscriber Misuse

You may not use ZestyText to message someone who has not signed up via your event's sign-up link. This includes:

• Sharing your sign-up link with people who didn't ask for it (e.g., posting it publicly to scrape phone numbers)
• Coercing or tricking someone into signing up under false pretenses
• Using a sign-up link as a means to send unrelated content

5. Enforcement

Every message is automatically screened before payment is taken. Blocked messages do not result in any charge. We log all blocked attempts.

We may also:

• Suspend a specific event for violations
• Suspend or terminate an account for repeated or severe violations
• Permanently block specific phone numbers from receiving any ZestyText message
• Report illegal content to law enforcement (especially content involving minors)
• Cooperate with carrier or regulatory investigations

6. Reporting Abuse

If you received a ZestyText message that violates this policy, please email abuse@zestytext.com with the message details. We investigate all reports and take action against violators.

7. Contact

Questions about acceptable use? Email support@zestytext.com.