It’s not unusual for Facebook users to suddenly find themselves receiving text messages from Facebook that they didn’t sign up for or expect. This often happens when Facebook launches new features or changes to their messaging services. Here are some common reasons why Facebook may be texting you out of the blue:
You Have a Facebook Account
If you have a Facebook account, you’ve likely provided your phone number for either security purposes or to enable certain account features. Facebook uses the phone numbers provided by users primarily for security features like two-factor authentication, but may also use it to send notifications about account activity or new features.
So if you’re receiving unexpected texts from Facebook, it likely means they have your phone number on file from when you set up your account. You may have forgotten that you provided it years ago.
You Have Messenger Installed
Facebook Messenger is Facebook’s chat app that also allows SMS texting between users. If you have the Messenger app installed and set up on your smartphone, Facebook has permission to send SMS text messages to your device.
They may text you via the Messenger app to alert you about new messages, friends joining Messenger, payment reminders, and other notifications related to activity within the app.
You Signed Up for Text Alerts
In your Facebook account settings, there is an option to enable text alerts about account activity, such as when you’re tagged in a post or have a new friend request.
If you toggled this on at some point, that gives Facebook permission to send you notifications via SMS text message. You may have forgotten that you enabled this feature.
You Have a Facebook Page
If you are the admin of a Facebook Page for a business, brand, organization or as a public figure, Facebook may send you text notifications about activity on your Page. Things like new likes, comments, messages, and other notifications can be sent via SMS text if you enabled this.
So if you’re getting texts from Facebook about your Page, you likely enabled this alert option without realizing it. Page admins can disable text notifications in their settings.
You Clicked a Link From Facebook
Scammers and spammers will sometimes send Facebook messages containing links or prompts to click that sign you up to receive SMS spam texts. Often these messages come from fake Facebook accounts impersonating friends or family.
If you recently clicked on a sketchy link sent via Facebook Messenger, there’s a chance it signed you up to receive unwanted texts without your permission. Be very cautious about clicking questionable links sent over Facebook.
You Entered Your Number for Ads or Sweepstakes
If you’ve entered your phone number on Facebook for things like ads, deals, sweepstakes entries or other promotions, that may open you up to receiving marketing texts from Facebook or businesses running the promotion.
Always read the fine print when providing your number anywhere on Facebook to understand if it signs you up for texts. Oftentimes the terms allow your number to be used for SMS alerts.
Your Number Was Compromised in a Breach
If your phone number was part of a data breach involving personal information, it’s possible spammers or scammers obtained it and are using it to send unwanted texts.
Facebook has suffered breaches over the years, including the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal where up to 87 million users had their data harvested without consent.
While not inevitable, breaches mean your data may end up being sold, leaving you vulnerable to SMS spam.
How Can I Stop Facebook From Texting Me?
If Facebook has been texting you unexpectedly, here are some tips on how to make it stop:
Disable Text Notifications in Account Settings
In your Facebook account settings, look for any SMS alert options for notifications about account activity, security codes, or other features and toggle them off. This revokes Facebook’s permission to text you.
Turn Off Texts in Messenger
Open the Messenger app settings and select Notifications. Disable any SMS notifications toggled on. You can also revoke SMS linking in the Messenger settings to prevent texts.
Remove Your Phone Number from Account
You can remove your phone number entirely from your Facebook account by going to Settings > Mobile > Remove Phone Number. However, this may limit certain features.
Opt-Out of Promotional Texts
Look for an opt-out option in any marketing texts from Facebook. Usually you can text back STOP to end messages from a specific sender.
Use Call/Text Blocking Tools
Block short code numbers used by Facebook via your phone carrier’s call or text blocking tools. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint offer these options.
Report Unwanted Texts to Facebook
If you receive SMS spam claiming to be from Facebook, report the texts to Facebook so they can investigate and take action against spammers misusing their name.
Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links
Exercise caution before clicking on questionable links sent in Facebook messages, as they may signup you up to receive unwanted texts from spammers. Only click links from known senders.
Close Your Facebook Account
If all else fails, deactivating your Facebook account is the only guaranteed way to stop receiving texts from Facebook. You can later reactivate it if you choose.
Why Does Facebook Send Texts Without Permission?
While frustrating to users, there are some reasons why Facebook may send automated text messages without obtaining your explicit consent first:
Notifications of New Features
Facebook often texts users about major new feature launches. Texting is used rather than in-app alerts because not all users have push notifications enabled or regularly login to see alerts.
Urgency of Security Alerts
For account security features like login approvals, Facebook claims texting codes is necessary for speed and urgency, rather than waiting for in-app consent.
On-Demand Link for Messenger
Facebook points out the On-Demand SMS link for Messenger provides convenience to instantly use Messenger on any device.
Difficulty Managing Billions of Users
At over 2.5 billion monthly active users, Facebook says obtaining individual opt-in approval for notifications is logistically challenging, so they leverage provided user data like phone numbers to send alerts.
Goal of Increasing Engagement
Facebook’s business model depends on users actively engaging with Facebook and Messenger as much as possible. Sending texts drives more app usage compared to emails or in-app alerts that are easily overlooked.
Are Facebook Notification Texts a Violation of Privacy?
The practice of Facebook texting users unsolicited notifications certainly raises user privacy concerns. But whether it constitutes an actual privacy violation depends on a few factors:
If You Consented at Any Point
If users technically agreed to SMS notifications from Facebook in the account set up process or when enabling certain features like text alerts, Facebook has legal permission on record to send notification texts.
If It’s Reasonable Notification
Courts have ruled that services like social networks can reasonably send notifications via user-provided contact points like phone numbers, provided the texts are relevant account notices rather than marketing.
If You Have the Ability to Opt Out
Facebook provides ways to disable text notifications in your account settings and Messenger. So while unwanted, users can opt out which works in Facebook’s favor legally.
If Texts Are Informational Rather Than Promotional
Users have greater protections against unwanted marketing texts versus informational service notifications. Facebook relies on this distinction claiming texts are focused on features and account security.
Whether You Suffered Damages
For a legal claim that Facebook violated privacy with texts, users would have to prove they suffered measurable harm from specifically receiving the texts themselves. That’s a high bar.
Conclusion
In summary, reasons Facebook may text you without consent include having a Facebook account, using Messenger, enabling text notifications, having a Page, entering your number for ads, or clicking sketchy links. To stop Facebook from texting, disable SMS notifications, remove your number, opt out of promos, block short codes, report spam texts, and avoid suspicious links. Facebook sends texts without permission to notify users about features and security, but also to drive engagement and app usage. Their practice legally toes the line, but may not be provable as a true privacy violation. Limiting notifications and texts to the essentials would build more user trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Facebook text me out of nowhere?
Some common reasons Facebook may text you unexpectedly include:
- You have a Facebook account with your phone number for security
- You have Messenger installed and set up on your phone
- You enabled text notifications in your Facebook account settings
- You’re an admin of a Facebook page with text alerts turned on
- You entered your number for ads, deals or sweepstakes
- You clicked a suspicious link sent via Facebook Messenger
- Your number was part of a data breach
How do I get Facebook to stop texting me?
To stop Facebook texts:
- Disable SMS notifications in your account settings
- Turn off texts in the Messenger app settings
- Remove your phone number from your Facebook account
- Opt out of marketing texts by replying STOP
- Block Facebook short code numbers
- Report unwanted texts to Facebook
Can I sue Facebook for texting me without permission?
It would be challenging to build a strong legal case against Facebook for sending you notification texts without explicit consent. As long as the texts are infrequent account notices rather than marketing, courts have ruled that services like Facebook can legally message users via the contact points they provide, like a phone number. Rather than sue, it’s best to opt out of texts with the provided settings.
Does Facebook read my texts?
Facebook claims they do not read the content of users’ private text messages. However, they likely utilize metadata and data about who you text and how frequently to inform ads and product features. Some third-party Facebook partners may have access to limited amounts of text data for analysis, but Facebook insists full message content remains private.
Can I get in trouble for ignoring Facebook texts?
No, there is no risk or penalty for ignoring texts you receive from Facebook. They have no recourse if you opt not to respond. You will not get locked out of your account or anything like that. To prevent further texts, your best bet is to opt-out using the steps above rather than simply ignoring them.
Table Showing Steps to Stop Facebook Texts
| Action | Method |
|---|---|
| Disable Notifications | Account Settings |
| Turn Off Messenger Texts | App Settings |
| Remove Phone Number | Account Settings |
| Opt Out of Promos | Reply STOP |
| Block Short Codes | Carrier Tools |
| Report Spam | Facebook Help Page |
Key Takeaways
- Check account settings to disable texts and remove your phone number
- Turn off SMS notifications for Messenger in the app settings
- Reply STOP or opt out of any marketing text messages from Facebook
- Use your phone carrier tools to block Facebook short codes
- Report unwanted spam texts to Facebook for investigation
- Avoid clicking questionable links in Facebook messages