If you get a text from Facebook, then you probably don’t want to respond —even if your response is something along the lines of “Stop texting me.”
Users that have signed up for two-factor authentication on the social network (which should be everyone, right?) are reporting that they’re getting promotional messages from Facebook as well through the same number, even though they haven’t opted in to receive text notifications. Updates along the lines of texts letting you know that a pal has posted for the first time in a while.
Beyond being an annoying, spammy, experience, it appears as though when you respond to those text messages with something like “STOP,” it doesn’t stop the messages and instead posts your frustrated request onto your timeline, The Verge reports.
Facebook is reportedly looking into the issue.
For now, the problem is another reason to consider using a code generator app rather than text for two-factor authentication. With that, you would use an app such as Google Authenticatior to get the code you input for two-factor authentication rather than a number you receive via text.
For what it’s worth, it’s always a good idea to use an Authenticator app for things you might want to access when you don’t have a cellular connection or you’re traveling somewhere receiving texts might be a problem.