[comrade1]

The FCC has been cracking down on companies using long codes for SMS services because those long codes aren't required to follow the normal SMS rules concerning opting in, opting out, opt less keywords (help messages). For short codes the phone companies each test the short code to confirm it's following the rules.

Further, these long codes switch companies frequently as they get reused when they're no longer in use, and SMS user numbers have been spammed with sms messages as a result.

[viksit]

Makes sense. Notably, however, this is an alpha product, very much a way to see user engagement and figure out what works and what doesn't, and what people want it to do. Once those questions are clarified, all the rest of the infrastructure will definitely be built up adhering to established standards.

In that respect, it absolutely makes sense to use a shortcode where you can conform to regulations.

It's important to note though that Myra only responds when asked for information, and never without. So, it makes sure not to spam at all.

[mikeash]

On the spam thing, I believe what they're saying is that companies set up a service, then they disappear, the phone number they used gets reassigned to some Joe Random, and then poor hapless Joe gets spammed by all the company's former customers who think the number is still hooked up.