RECENT NEWS
FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Circulates Order to Classify
Ringless Voicemail Messages as Calls Under the TCPA
On February 2, 2022, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced that
she has presented to her fellow Commissioners an order that will
declare that technology that leaves “ringless” voicemails
on consumer cell phones is subject to FCC robocalling restrictions.
The order is described as ruling that ringless voicemails are calls
under the TCPA and thus require prior express consent when sent to
cellular telephone numbers. The Chairwoman’s proposal will be voted
upon by the Commissioners “on circulation,” which does
not establish an immediate deadline for FCC action. Unlike orders
under consideration at Open Meetings, the text of a circulation
item is not publicly released.
The Commission has received three petitions for declaratory
ruling regarding ringless voicemail technologies, all three of
which were withdrawn by the petitioners after comments were filed.
The FCC News Release states that the FCC will rule upon All About
the Message’s 2017 Petition for Declaratory Ruling regarding
ringless voicemails. All About the Message withdrew that petition on June 20, 2017.
Consumer Groups Seek to Exclude “Scam” Calls and
Texts from TCPA Consent Exemptions
On January 26, 2022, the National Consumer Law Center, Consumer
Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports,
Electronic Privacy Information Center, National Association…
