A device may receive one or more preferences for providing a message-based data service. The device may receive, in a text message and from a mobile device, a content request. The content request may identify content to be obtained via a data connection. The device may filter the content request, based on the one or more preferences, to generate a filtered request. The device may obtain the content based on the filtered request and via a data connection. The device may process the content to prepare the content for providing in a text message. The device may provide the content to the mobile device in a text message after processing the content.