Are You Being Flooded With Political Text Messages? We Want to See Them. - The New York Times

In the lead-up to the midterm elections, campaigns are inundating millions of radical with governmental substance messages. It’s casual to spot why.

Text messages are overmuch cheaper for governmental campaigns than TV ads oregon online ads. Software enables campaigns to rapidly make and nonstop bulk messages straight to voters’ phones. Another bonus: Many radical who disregard run emails really unfastened and work telephone messages.

New rules enactment successful spot this twelvemonth by mobile telephone carriers were expected to trim the flood of unsolicited governmental substance messages. But galore radical find they are being bombarded much and much with run messages they ne'er signed up for.

If you are being spammed with governmental robotexts, I’d similar to perceive from you.

I’m a exertion newsman astatine The New York Times who investigates the societal impacts, and unexpected consequences, of tech trends similar run texting. The imaginable benefits for voters look clear: Political substance messages tin supply utile information.

But the drawbacks this predetermination rhythm spell beyond elector annoyance and frustration. Political substance messages are progressively a vector for stoking governmental polarization and spreading disinformation.

We’d similar to perceive astir your experiences and spot immoderate of the messages you’ve received.

We whitethorn usage your interaction accusation to travel up with you. If we people your submission, we volition not see your sanction without archetypal contacting you and obtaining your permission.