The do-not-call rules don’t apply to political organizations, pollsters and survey takers, according to the FCC.
Related: The Debt Man Only Rings Thrice in Student-Loan Robocall Plan
The FCC’s proposal would let phone companies conduct call-blocking without gaining permission from subscribers. The order doesn’t require companies to tell customers what numbers will be blocked. Companies would need to offer consumers enough information to decide whether to stay in, or opt out -- for instance, disclosing what types of calls would be blocked.
The agency said it wanted to dispel an impression that call blocking would be a violation of its rules, which generally ensure calls are completed.
The FCC’s proposed changes “are not enough. They’re not a magic bullet,” said Margot Saunders, an attorney with the National Consumer Law Center.
‘Nibbling’ Edges
The FCC is “nibbling around the edges” of the problem, Saunders said. She added that the agency should ensure that call-placing equipment remains covered by the law that requires consent for calls, despite an appeals court ruling last year. Judges tossed out earlier FCC regulations, saying the FCC’s language was too broad and could be construed to prohibit calls from any smartphone. The agency is considering its reaction.
Consumer Reports in an emailed statement said the FCC had taken “constructive steps.”
“There is still much more work to be done -- including getting phone companies to implement anti-robocall technology, and ensuring that this service is provided to consumers free of charge,” said Maureen Mahoney, policy analyst for Consumer Reports. “The FCC also needs to issue strong rules clarifying the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s coverage, to stop robocallers from attempting to evade it.”
International Angle