Recent federal and state regulations require that outbound text messages only be sent during certain hours based on the recipient’s local time zone. FreedomSoft automatically enforces a safe compliance window to help protect your business and your sending reputation.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts sending marketing text messages outside of 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. local time at the recipient’s location.
Several states have even stricter limits, which is why FreedomSoft defaults to a most conservative national window (2 p.m.–8 p.m. ET) to ensure your texts remain compliant.
Default Timing Setting
By default, FreedomSoft restricts outbound text messages so that no messages are sent outside the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
This schedule reflects the most restrictive nationwide compliance window, equivalent to sending between 8:00 a.m. in Hawaii (HAST) and 8:00 p.m. on the East Coast (ET).
By using this narrower window, all outbound messages—regardless of where they’re being sent—remain compliant with all U.S. federal and state time-of-day restrictions for SMS communication.
Adjusting Send Time Settings
FreedomSoft allows users to customize their automated SMS time settings.
Follow the steps below to adjust your outbound SMS timing settings:
From your FreedomSoft account, click your name in the top-right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
From the left-hand menu, click Phone.
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At the top of the Phone Settings page, select the Automated Sending tab.
Here, you’ll see two options for controlling when your automated text messages are sent:Time Zone Based: Sends messages based on "business hours" (2pm ET - 8pm ET), regardless of where recipients are located.
Area Code Based: Sends messages based on the recipient’s area code location.
Save your settings. These changes will take effect immediately for all future automated text messages.
User Responsibility
While FreedomSoft enforces safeguards, compliance remains the responsibility of each user.
It’s your responsibility to:
Confirm that all outbound messaging complies with federal and state timing laws
Ensure proper opt-in consent and opt-out handling
Verify that your messages align with carrier and industry best practices
FreedomSoft’s system is designed to make compliance easier, but users must always verify their campaigns meet legal requirements.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Users are responsible for ensuring their own compliance with all applicable federal, state, and carrier regulations governing SMS communications.
Need Help?
If you have questions about automated sending times or how to configure your settings, contact support@freedomsoft.com.