Political Spam: Why You Can't Escape Unwanted SMS Messages
Digital Harassment and Political Marketing
Digital communication plays a pivotal role in modern political campaigns, yet the process has frequently taken on an aggressive and intrusive form. Many users receive dozens of SMS messages daily soliciting donations. These messages are often so invasive that recipients are troubled not only by the content but by the sheer frequency. The core issue is that these messages are frequently sent to the wrong numbers, as campaigns rely on databases that are not always accurate.
Databases and Artificial Intelligence
How do campaigns get your number? The answer often lies with data brokers. Companies use artificial intelligence (AI) to aggregate information about citizens, including where they live, what they do, and their political leanings. Firms such as Sterling Data Company create detailed profiles, which they then lease to political headquarters. The goal is simple: to identify individuals likely to donate to a campaign.
Unfortunately, this system is flawed. If your number is mistakenly linked to a politically active person, you will receive thousands of messages that are nearly impossible to stop. Although users frequently reply with "STOP," this does not always work because the messages originate from various platforms and numbers.
Why Doesn't "STOP" Work?
Political organisations often use automated systems where a single database serves multiple campaigns. When you ask one campaign to stop, that information is not automatically shared with other political entities using the same data. As a result, your number remains on active lists.
Representatives of these companies claim that such high-frequency messaging is a necessary evil, as raising funds would be significantly harder without it. They argue that while the system is not perfect, it is effective enough for campaigns to continue using it.
What Can You Do?
Unfortunately, there is no simple solution. Replying to these messages, even negatively, often only confirms that your number is active, which can lead to even more spam. In some countries, people have turned to legal avenues, challenging unwanted communication in court, though this is a laborious process.
While political SMS marketing on this scale is not yet widespread in Georgia, the issue remains significant regarding digital data protection. When providing your number to any platform, always check whether you are consenting to the transfer of your data to third parties, as this is precisely how your contact information can end up in such a "spam hell."