FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has issued a proposal that could make it harder for robocalls to leave “ringless” voicemails in your inbox without first getting your permission. Ringless voicemails are those annoying messages that appear in your voicemail inbox without phone .
See also: How to silence unknown callers and Robocall content on iPhone
Rosenworcel says the technology behind call-free voicemails should be subject to the same rules set forth by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which is supposed to prevent robocalls from calling your number without your consent. The TCPA also sets forth a number of other rules, requiring telemarketers to create and comply with a “Do Not Call” list and prohibiting them from calling residential addresses between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
See also: Jacob Wohl, Jack Burkman: Will they pay a fine for robocalls?
“No-call voicemail can be annoying, invasive, and can lead to fraud like other robocalls – so it should face the same consumer protection rules,” Rosenworcel said. “This FCC action will continue to empower consumers to choose who they give permission to contact them.”
See also: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon: What measures are they taking to reduce robocalls?
Rosenworcel’s proposal is in response to a 2017 petition filed by robocall company All About the Message (PDF). The company argued that robocalls that go straight to voicemail shouldn’t be protected by the TCPA, arguing that they’re not technically phone calls and therefore shouldn’t be covered by the law. Last year, the FCC began requiring all providers to implement a call verification service to help consumers identify robocalls.
