Verizon Wireless says no to abortion rights messages

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from an abortion rights advocacy group to set up text message alerts for subscribers who signed up for the information, but a company spokesman said on Thursday it was reviewing its text messaging policy.

The second-largest U.S. mobile phone carrier said it had not allowed NARAL Pro-Choice America to set up a text messaging alert system that would let its subscribers sign up for notices with a number known as a short code.

The decision was based on a company policy that denies short codes for what it deems controversial issues, according to Verizon Wireless spokesman Jim Gerace. But he said Verizon was evaluating the policy and may announce changes as early as Thursday.

"We’re reviewing it with an eye towards changing it because it’s a dusty old policy meant to protect our customers from unwanted spam," Gerace said.

He did not say how any policy change on short codes would be applied to NARAL’s request.

Verizon Wireless has provided short codes in few instances in the past, such as a request from the Red Cross to solicit donation pledges in the event of a natural disaster.

Other major U.S. wireless carriers have agreed to allow NARAL to set up a group text messaging system, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

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(Reporting by Sinead Carew)