Getting unavoidable "Important Network Provider Message" from Cell C that's just advertising spam?

[TheHand]

It's not enough that I don't answer my phone anymore and get dozens of spam SMS a day, now I've started receiving spam as "Important Network Provider Messages" from Cell C (At least, I think that's the case).

So for those that aren't aware, what this essentially does is results in the message basically overlaying everything you're doing on your phone and requires you to either Accept or Cancel the message before you can proceed. So far it's basically been **** like, "Free Games Daily, Subscribe for R7 a day, type whatever to opt out,"

So I'm not sure if somehow my phone's been compromised (I don't install random apps, I keep it pretty barebones, and I use Firefox Focus with Javascript disabled to browse), or if this is simply a new marketing tactic by Cell C, in which case how the **** do I opt out?

EDIT: So apparently they're called Flash Messages or Class 0 SMS, which basically makes them unavoidable?

 

[eddief1]

I get them on Vodacom too. A random pop-up with accept or cancel. Anyone care to explain the mechanics behind this?

 

[LetsDance]

I got some of them. I do not press either accept or cancel, but the home button and the thing disappears . Very virus looking.

 

[eddief1]

So who is allowed to send class 0 SMS's? I thought they were reserved for the operators themselves. Nice and new way for scammers to bypass screening apps like true-caller and phone do-not-disturb functions

 

[eddief1]

So this is annoying. I have checked all my content services, etc and I have no subscriptions

 

[Koljoster]

I'm with CellC and receive these messages on both my smart phone and feature phone. One should be able to stop these messages from one's sim toolkit app (Google search results) but the apps just loop endlessly without connecting to "Cell-C Services" on both my phones.

 

[warwickw]

This should be logged with ICASA its surely abusing the purpose of flash messages, which should be emergency-related ie storm warnings, amber alerts, rabid dogs on the loose in area etc etc

 

[airborne]

I’ve also recently got one for the first time, iPhone on MTN.

 

[maxgafner]

Same here on my end, I have a note 20 Ultra and I am on Cellc, this has been driving me insane since it is almost daily. How tf is this legal!

 

[eddief1]

Pinging @jannievanzyl

How is this even possible? Class 0 sms for marketing over what seems to be all networks

 

[Hanno Labuschagne]

Hey guys, we picked up a bit late on this but are following up with Vodacom and Cell C about it, just to keep you in the loop. Seems sketchy.

 

[LetsDance]

Nothing to do with CellC, my phone is on vodacom and I occasionally get these type of smses and the worst part is that the sms ad keeps the screen on so before you know it, your battery is hammered.

 

[airborne]

Hey guys, we picked up a bit late on this but are following up with Vodacom and Cell C about it, just to keep you in the loop. Seems sketchy.

@Hanno Labuschagne MTN is also doing the same thing, it started a month or 2 ago.

 

[frost717]

Hey guys, we picked up a bit late on this but are following up with Vodacom and Cell C about it, just to keep you in the loop. Seems sketchy.

Applies to MTN as well. It's every network it seems.