Explicit Consent

To ensure lawful and responsible communication, HoodEngage requires that all contacts imported into the platform have provided explicit, verifiable consent to receive marketing messages. This requirement applies to all supported channels, including Email, SMS, and Push notifications.

Importing contacts without valid consent violates HoodEngage policies and may lead to restrictions, penalties, or account termination.

Definition of explicit consent

Explicit consent is a clear, affirmative action by the contact indicating they agree to receive marketing communication. Consent must be:

• Freely given — without coercion or implied obligation
• Specific — tied to a particular purpose (for example, marketing)
• Informed — the person understands what they are agreeing to
• Unambiguous — expressed through a clear action (for example, checking an unchecked box)

Acceptable ways to collect consent

You may only import contacts who provided consent through one of the following compliant methods:

• Submitting a form with an unchecked opt-in checkbox that the user actively selects
• Completing a confirmed opt-in (double opt-in) process via email or SMS
• Providing verbal or written permission with a documented timestamp and context
• Granting consent through a signup flow where the individual was clearly informed they would receive marketing communication

Consent must be channel-specific. For example, consent to receive emails does not automatically mean the contact consented to receive SMS.

Prohibited sources

You may not import contacts obtained through any of the following means:

• Purchased, rented, borrowed, or scraped lists
• Third-party databases or lead brokers
• Public directories or social media scraping
• Forms where the user did not select a clearly labeled opt-in checkbox
• Pre-checked boxes or passive consent mechanisms
• Individuals who did not explicitly agree to receive marketing communication

Retention of proof

You are responsible for retaining proof of consent for every contact you import. This may include:

• Timestamp of signup
• URL of the form used
• Consent language shown at the moment of opt-in
• Confirmation response from a double opt-in process

You may be required to provide this evidence if requested by HoodEngage, platform partners, or regulatory bodies.

Legal compliance

You must comply with all applicable data protection and marketing laws, including but not limited to:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• ePrivacy Directive (EU)
• CAN-SPAM Act (USA)
• CASL (Canada’s Anti-Spam Law)

By importing contacts into HoodEngage, you confirm that you have obtained valid consent in accordance with these laws.

Import confirmation

During imports, you will be required to confirm the following:

• All contacts provided explicit permission to receive marketing communication within the past 24 months, or were re-engaged within this timeframe
• None of the contacts were acquired through third-party sharing, external vendors, or unauthorized sources
• You understand and accept responsibility for ensuring legal compliance regarding imported data

Failure to comply may result in suspension of messaging capabilities, data removal, or permanent account deactivation.

Enforcement

HoodEngage reserves the right to audit imported data, review user activity, and take immediate action in cases of non-compliance. This may include pausing campaigns, disabling imports, restricting delivery, or suspending accounts where consent policies have been violated.

Final reminder

If you are unsure whether a contact has explicitly consented, do not import them. You are responsible for maintaining compliant data practices on the platform.

For more information, refer to HoodEngage Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.