The phrase refers to methods individuals seek to employ to halt the receipt of unsolicited campaign-related SMS messages, particularly during the 2024 election cycle, based on discussions and shared experiences within the Reddit online forum. Such methods might involve utilizing phone settings, contacting senders directly, or exploring third-party applications to filter or block unwanted texts. For example, a user might share a successful technique for unsubscribing from a political organization’s text alerts that they learned through a Reddit thread.
The rising volume of these messages can overwhelm individuals, leading to annoyance and potential privacy concerns. Successfully managing this influx offers benefits, including reduced distractions, improved control over personal communication channels, and decreased risk of exposure to misinformation. This phenomenon has roots in the increasing reliance on mobile communication for political outreach and the relatively low cost of sending mass text messages, leading to a surge during election years.