Congress Passes Bill to Make the Do-Not-Call Registry Permanent

As expected, Congress passed legislation to make telephone numbers registered on the Do-Not-Call (DNC) list permanent. This legislation, supported by the Direct Marketing Association and the American Teleservices Association, also directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to remove invalid numbers and issue a report in nine months documenting its efforts to improve the accuracy of the list.

While NAA did not oppose the legislation to make the DNC registry permanent, NAA expressed concerns to the House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over this issue that the registry is not as accurate as it could be given current hygiene practices. NAA anticipates additional opportunities to comment on the need for improved accuracy of list when the FTC issues its report in nine months.

In early December, the FCC also introduced a rulemaking seeking comment on its tentative conclusion to amend its rules to make the DNC list permanent. NAA plans to file comments in this proceeding. Comments are due on January 14, 2008, and reply comments are due January 28, 2008.

First Published:
December 20, 2007