Robocall

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Robocall is American pejorative jargon for an automated telemarketing phone call which uses both a computerized autodialer and a computer-delivered recorded message. The implication is that a "robocall" resembles a telephone call from a robot.

Some states (23 according to DMNews) have laws that distinguish political robocalls from other kinds of political telemarketing. For example, in Indiana and North Dakota, automated telemarketing calls are illegal.[1][2] In New Hampshire, political robocalls are allowed — except when the recipient is in the National Do Not Call Registry.[3] Many states require the disclosure of who paid for the call, often requiring such notice be recorded in the candidate's own voice.

California law holds political campaigns to the same rules as other organizations or businesses using "robo-calls." Here are the guidelines: 1. A "live" person must come on the line before the recording to identify the nature of the call and the organization behind it. 2. The recipient of the call must consent to allowing the recording to be played. 3. The call must be disconnected from the telephone line as soon as the message is over or the recipient hangs up, whichever comes first.

FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. However, political groups are excluded from the definition of telemarketer and calls from or on behalf of political organizations are still permitted.[4]

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[edit] References

  1. ^ Phonebank accents irk congressman - UPI, November 5, 2006.
  2. ^ States enforce limits on robocalls - DMNews, "States enforce limits on robocalls"
  3. ^ Repeat calls not from Hodes - Concord Monitor, November 5, 2006. "Repeat calls not from Hodes"
  4. ^ FTC - Q&A: The National Do Not Call Registry