Communications

Comments to FCC on Blackboard and Edison Petitions to Allow Automated Calls

Consumer Federation of America and associated organizations’ interest in these petitions focuses on two issues: 1) Protecting consumers – particularly Lifeline and other low-income customers who have cell phone plans with limited minutes, from unwanted calls by restricting emergency calls to true emergencies and limiting their number and length. 2) Interpreting “express consent” to require that a) callers obtain consent for calls containing specific types of content; and b) the simple act of providing a telephone number does not provide a generalized consent to receive autodialed or prerecorded calls relating to any conceivable subject from the caller.