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Original
2026-01-01
Modified
2026-03-10
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<p>A short code<strong>audit notice</strong>for SMS is a report that outlines violations and compliance next steps for noncompliant<a>short code</a>programs. For US violations, these reports are issued by the<a>Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)</a>, which regularly checks SMS programs across the US to make sure they’re up to standard. In Canada, they’re issued by the<a>Canadian Telecommunications Association (CTA)</a>.</p>
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<p>A short code<strong>audit notice</strong>for SMS is a report that outlines violations and compliance next steps for noncompliant<a>short code</a>programs. For US violations, these reports are issued by the<a>Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)</a>, which regularly checks SMS programs across the US to make sure they’re up to standard. In Canada, they’re issued by the<a>Canadian Telecommunications Association (CTA)</a>.</p>
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<p>If a program doesn’t meet the guidelines, the sender will receive an audit notice that contains the following:</p>
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<p>If a program doesn’t meet the guidelines, the sender will receive an audit notice that contains the following:</p>
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<ul><li>A description of the violation</li>
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<ul><li>A description of the violation</li>
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<li>A notice of severity (see below)</li>
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<li>A notice of severity (see below)</li>
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<li>A request for a written response with a due date timeframe</li>
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<li>A request for a written response with a due date timeframe</li>
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<li>An outline for what should be included in the response (desired outcome, next steps, etc.)</li>
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<li>An outline for what should be included in the response (desired outcome, next steps, etc.)</li>
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</ul><p>See the<a>CTIA compliance handbook</a>for more information.</p>
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</ul><p>See the<a>CTIA compliance handbook</a>for more information.</p>
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<h2>Audit notice severity levels and penalties</h2>
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<h2>Audit notice severity levels and penalties</h2>
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<p>All audit notices are assigned a severity level, determined by the potential harm it may bring to consumers:</p>
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<p>All audit notices are assigned a severity level, determined by the potential harm it may bring to consumers:</p>
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<ul><li><strong>Level 0</strong>: This level is reserved for the most severe offences, which include blatant noncompliance with regulations and an intent to cause extreme consumer harm. Examples of these offences include using language that promotes<a>S.H.A.F.T.</a>, messaging without prior consent, and not complying with opt-out requests. This level means an immediate suspension of a short code.</li>
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<ul><li><strong>Level 0</strong>: This level is reserved for the most severe offences, which include blatant noncompliance with regulations and an intent to cause extreme consumer harm. Examples of these offences include using language that promotes<a>S.H.A.F.T.</a>, messaging without prior consent, and not complying with opt-out requests. This level means an immediate suspension of a short code.</li>
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<li><strong>Level 1</strong>: These are offences that may cause serious consumer harm. The CTIA sanctions Level 1 offences by sending a notice to<a>carriers</a>detailing the violation, allowing them to determine the appropriate penalty. Examples include intellectual property violations, improper use of the term “free,” and not displaying the STOP<a>keyword</a>.</li>
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<li><strong>Level 1</strong>: These are offences that may cause serious consumer harm. The CTIA sanctions Level 1 offences by sending a notice to<a>carriers</a>detailing the violation, allowing them to determine the appropriate penalty. Examples include intellectual property violations, improper use of the term “free,” and not displaying the STOP<a>keyword</a>.</li>
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<li><strong>Level 2</strong>: These refer to actions that may result in moderate harm to consumers. The same procedure used to sanction Level 1 offences is applied to Level 2 violations. Offences of this kind include failing to mention that data rates may apply and failure to reply to the “HELP” keyword.</li>
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<li><strong>Level 2</strong>: These refer to actions that may result in moderate harm to consumers. The same procedure used to sanction Level 1 offences is applied to Level 2 violations. Offences of this kind include failing to mention that data rates may apply and failure to reply to the “HELP” keyword.</li>
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</ul><p>Failing to respond to a notice of an audit can lead to suspension of your messaging program. If your short code gets suspended, it can take at least 30 days to reactivate it, as it will need to go through the setup process again. The exact time can vary based on the severity of the violation and how quickly the issue gets resolved.</p>
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</ul><p>Failing to respond to a notice of an audit can lead to suspension of your messaging program. If your short code gets suspended, it can take at least 30 days to reactivate it, as it will need to go through the setup process again. The exact time can vary based on the severity of the violation and how quickly the issue gets resolved.</p>
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<p>Want to avoid audits and run successful<a>SMS and MMS</a><a>campaigns</a>via short codes? With Klaviyo, you can streamline the short code application process,<a>write compliant messages with Klaviyo AI</a>, and<a>set up your flows</a>to run on autopilot while you focus on other tasks.</p>
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<p>Want to avoid audits and run successful<a>SMS and MMS</a><a>campaigns</a>via short codes? With Klaviyo, you can streamline the short code application process,<a>write compliant messages with Klaviyo AI</a>, and<a>set up your flows</a>to run on autopilot while you focus on other tasks.</p>
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<p><a>Sign up for Klaviyo today</a>and boost your SMS marketing strategy with short codes.</p>
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<p><a>Sign up for Klaviyo today</a>and boost your SMS marketing strategy with short codes.</p>
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