People adding to SMS group chat without permission

[sekito]

Why is it people can add us to group chats without permission in messages? And then it is up to us to leave the chat

It's obviously spam as soon as you open the chat you can see five other people have left

[alejcho]

SMS/MMS (any cellular device) does not have privacy controls - which means anyone with your number can create a group chat and add it without your consent.

To minimise reoccurrence however, you can carry out any of the below actions;

1. Block the sender:
* Open the message
* Tap the 3-dot menu > Block contact > OK

2. Report it:
* Tap and hold the message > Report spam

3. Turn on spam protection:
* Open Messages > Tap 3-dot menu > Settings > Spam protection > Turn it on

4. Forward to ACMA:
* Forward the message to 0429 999 888

[sekito]

Isn't the group chat something different from just sending a regular SMS message

[alejcho]

Samsung messages uses MMS, however just like SMS (or RCS) they suffer the same issue of not having a permission system / safeguards

Need to switch to apps like Signal or WhatsApp where group invites require consent (or can be setup that way)

[sekito]

I see it well the problem is not that it's obviously spam is can just randomly add all of your numbers

Is it possible to disable mms in that case so I only get normal text

[alejcho]

you can, but it won't solve the issue of being invited to future group chats

[sekito]

I thought if we don't have MMS or RCs enabled then group chat is not supported

[____________]

I've been invited to a random group but no message was sent, so I have no message to report and I don't know which number to block. How do I know who added me to the group? Can the invitation itself be reported somehow? 

[alejcho]

no to all the above unfortunately - best option would be to lookup each number individually on sites like reverseaustralia.com and block any which others reported as bots / spammers

[dlbendigoqq]

Another reason why my next phone will NOT be a Samsung.