FCC empowers consumers to stop robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took an important steps to protect phone users by adopting “a proposal to protect consumers from unwanted robocalls and spam texts.” After almost two dozen petitions surrounding the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the FCC is closing loopholes and strengthening consumer protections, “allowing customers to control the calls they receive.” According the FCC, the new consumer protections include:

• A Green Light for ‘Do Not Disturb’ Technology – Service providers can offer robocall blocking technologies to consumers and implement market-based solutions that consumers can use to stop unwanted robocalls.

• Empowering Consumers to Say ‘Stop’ – Consumers have the right to revoke their consent to receive robocalls and robotexts in any reasonable way at any time.

• Reassigned Numbers Aren’t Loopholes – If a phone number has been reassigned, companies must stop calling the number after one call.

• Third-Party Consent – A consumer whose name is in the contacts list of an acquaintance’s phone does not consent to receive robocalls from third-party applications downloaded by the acquaintance.

FCC Strengthens Consumer Protections Against Unwanted Calls and Texts (FCC, June 18, 2015)