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Claim: A Facebook user claimed that mobile network subscribers in Nigeria can send ‘Stop’ to the number 2442 to stop unsolicited messages.
Verdict: TRUE. Sending ‘Stop’ to 2442 will activate the Do-Not-Disturb service and stop unwanted messages. Also, the Commission’s website revealed that the service has been operational since July 1, 2016.
Full Text
Advertisements and publicity naturally increase during the festive period as organisations and business owners, including government-owned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), share updates about their services to Nigerians.
With the availability of mobile phones and telecommunication service providers, mobile network subscribers are now exposed to often unsolicited copies. Sometimes, it may be from numbers offering chances to win lotteries or brand impersonators.
A Facebook user, Aliyu Nuhu, recently posted that subscribers can put an end to receiving such spamming text. “To stop unsolicited text messages from your service providers [,] text STOP to 2442 using your line to any of the networks,” he wrote.
Mr Nuhu attributed the advice to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s communication regulatory body.
The post has gained 249 reactions, 29 comments and 70 reposts since it was posted on Dec. 13, 2023.
While many simply expressed their appreciation for the update, other followers, like Auwal Adam, wanted to know about the whole meaning of DND. Meanwhile, Ahmadu Tijjani Lawal feared that the update tampered with some default settings on his phone.
He said, “Sir, I think I mistakenly did this, and I [stopped] receiving all SMS, including bank credits and debit alerts. I had to call MTN customer service to restore my SMS service.”
In response, Mukhtar Idris said the setting could not affect Mr Ahmadu’s bank alerts and messages from his contacts.
The novelty of the information and its relevance made DUBAWA verify it.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted keyword searches to verify if any prominent telecommunication providers in Nigeria offer such services. We discovered that the service is known as “Do Not Disturb” and is available on MTN, Globacom and Airtel.
DUBAWA tried sending the message to the number for first-hand experience. The first feedback indicated that the request would be effective within 24 hours. Minutes later, it was revealed that the request was approved, and the number no longer received spamming messages.
The deactivation process is uniform across all the service providers by simply sending “ALLOW” to the same short code. It can also be altered by sending between numbers 1 to 11, which represent different details. To check the subscription status, send “STATUS” to the shortcode.
We proceeded to verify if the information was from the regulatory body as alleged by the claimant and found it on the NCC’s website.
“NCC wants the mobile network subscriber to have the choice to choose what messages they receive from telecom service providers” part of the website content reads.
As seen on credible media organisations like Vanguard, Daily Post and Premium Times; the announcement was made on Dec. 8, 2016, at the 79th Telecoms Consumers Parliament by the then-Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Umar Danbatta.
Conclusion
Our findings show that the communication regulatory body, NCC, announced that unsolicited messages can be restricted by sending a “stop” to shortcode 2442. Credible media organisations also reported this.
