BLOG

FAQ - Robocalls & Texting Updates

March 27, 2025 BY MQMR Blogger

Question: 

Are there new robocall and texting rules?

 

Answer: 

Yes, the FCC announced that the below rules related to robocalls and text marketing will become effective April 11, 2025:  

  1. A called party may revoke consent by using any reasonable method, which includes any of the following:
  • An automated, interactive voice or key press-activated opt-out mechanism provided during the call; 
  • A website or telephone number designated by the caller to process opt-out requests; or 
  • Replying to a text message with words a reasonable person would understand to convey revocation of consent, such as “stop,” “quit,” “revoke,” “cancel,” “opt-out,” or “unsubscribe.  
    • The rules explain a texter can choose to use a texting protocol that does not allow reply texts.  However, the texter must provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure on each text (i) indicating that two-way texting is not available due to technical limitations, and (ii) providing reasonable alternative ways to revoke consent.

Businesses must honor revocation requests within 10 business days of receipt of the request and cannot designate exclusive means to request revocation of consent.

  1. A texter may reply with a one-time text message confirming receipt of an opt-out request as long as the text only confirms the text recipient’s revocation request.  It cannot  include any marketing or promotional information or try to persuade the text recipient to reconsider the opt-out. 
    • If the text recipient consented to several categories of text messages, the confirmation message may request clarification as to whether the opt-out applies to all messages.  The texter must stop sending any texts for which consent is required unless the text recipient indicates a desire to continue to receive certain messages. A lack of response must be treated as a revocation of consent for all robocalls and robotexts from the sender. 
    • The confirmatory text must be sent within five minutes of receipt of the opt-out request or the sender will have to demonstrate that delay was reasonable.