FCC Cracks Down on Telemarketing 'Robocalls'

The Federal Communications Commission today approved rules that will make it more difficult for companies to use automated telemarketing calls, or robocalls.

"Consumers by the thousands have complained to us, letting us know that they remain unhappy with having their privacy invaded and their time wasted by these unwanted calls," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a Wednesday statement.

Specifically, the new rules will require companies to get written consent before calling you with automated offers. That can include an online form, though.

Current "do not call" telemarketing rules allow companies to contact people if they have an established business relationship - basically, if you've ever used the company's services before. The robocall rules, however, eliminate that prior relationship exemption for calls to residential wireline phones.

If you do happen to receive a robocall, meanwhile, the FCC rules will require companies to provide an "opt out" function that customers can choose during the call.

The rules specify that informational, automated calls like those related to school closings or flight changes, as well as calls from political campaigns, charities, or debt collectors, will still be permitted.

Rules about pre-recorded telemarketing calls were first adopted by the FCC in 1991 via the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Technology has evolved since then, however, to allow for robocalls that place more than 1,000 calls per minute. As a result, an update to existing rules were first proposed in January 2010, with the goal of harmonizing "do not call" rules at the Federal Trade Commission with telemarketing rules at the FCC, among other things.

"Today, the FCC is giving American consumers some help to keep a little more peace and serenity in their homes," said Republican FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell.

[Image]