The FCC has adopted new rules aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted robocalls and robotexts. The new rules require robocallers and robotexters to honor do-not-call and consent revocation requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 business days from receipt of such requests. The FCC has also codified its ruling that consumers can revoke consent under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) through any reasonable means. Furthermore, this action has added to the FCC’s rules the Commission’s 2012 ruling, which clarified that a one-time text message that confirms a consumer’s request that no further text messages be sent does not violate the TCPA as long as such text message confirms the opt-out request and does not include any marketing information.
Additionally, the FCC is seeking comment on whether the TCPA applies to robocalls and robotexts from wireless providers to their subscribers and whether consumers should have the ability to revoke consent and stop such communications.