Slashdot Mirror
FTC Extends Deadline on National DNC List Comments
Controlio writes: "The FTC is proposing a national do-not-call list to help keep telemarketing under control. More info is available in HTML or PDF, and the rule is available in PDF as well. The FTC has extended the deadline for comment until April 15th, and they are asking for your comments via e-mail. A snail mail address is also available. Many of the public comments can be viewed here, and it looks like the telemarketers are spamming the list with a pre-written script, for an example, look under "T". FOX News and CNN have old stories on this as well, but CNN is re-airing the story today. Finally, someone sticking up for those of us who get over 10 calls per day."
Instead of a DNC list, I'd rather see some sort of "Yes, call me" list - with "Do not call" as default. That way, if you like having telemarketers call you - fine, go ahead and sign up.
To clarify that facsimile transmissions, electronic mail, and other similar methods of delivery are direct mail for purposes of the direct mail exemption;
is one of the major changes that this rule will make. I do not know what the rules are for Direct Mail, but you can bet it would allow spammers some legal lattitude that they currently do not have... Email should not be classified as DIRECT MAIL in this ruling - it's almost tacked on. They should make a completely seperate ruling for email, preferably clarifying that it is unlike mail and facsimile in major ways...
-Adam
How long should a telephone number remain on the national "do not call" registry?
As long as the phone number is owned by the same person.
Who should be permitted to request that a telephone number be placed on the "do not call" registry? Should requests from the line subscriber's spouse or adult child be permitted? Should third parties (outside the FTC) be permitted to collect and forward requests to be put on the "do not call" registry?
Anybody who might have to answer the phone should be able to put it on the list.
What security measures are appropriate and necessary to ensure that only those people who want to place their telephone numbers on the "do not call" registry can do so? Should consumers be able to verify that their numbers have been placed on the registry? If so, how?
You must have access to that phone to put the number on the list. This could by done by using caller id or by calling the number and verifying that the person wants to be put on the list. ("Please press one if you don't want to be called by telemarketers.")
Should the "do not call" registry be an "all or nothing" option or should it instead allow consumers to specify the days or time of day that they are willing to accept telemarketing calls?
All or nothing is fine with me.
The proposed rule would permit consumers or donors who place their name and telephone number on the "do not call" registry to provide express verifiable authorization to specific sellers or organizations to make calls to them. How will this requirement affect those entities with which a consumer or donor has a pre-existing relationship?
They should have to ask for express verifiable authorization. Somebody is likely to go on this list to get away from people they have a pre-existing relationship with.