The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued a unanimous Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry targeting the use of AI-related technologies for communicating with consumers.1 In the proposed rule, the FCC seeks to impose a broad definition for AI technologies subject to the requirements of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Companies using technology falling within the FCC’s proposed definition would be required to make certain disclosures under the TCPA to notify consumers that they are communicating with AI-technology. This proposal is the latest move by the FCC to tackle its largest source of consumer complaints: unwanted and illegal robocalls and robotexts.2 The proposed new rule may require companies to modify their current approach in engaging with consumers through AI-generated calls and/or texts, including potentially altering their current practices in collecting consent where necessary.Continue Reading FCC Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding the Use of AI-Generated Technologies for Consumer Communications
Alyssa Worsham
FTC Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Requiring Disclosure of Fees in Consumer Goods and Services
Posted in Privacy
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a proposed rule that would regulate a broad range of “junk fees” in consumer goods and services, from resort fees associated with travel and lodging, to delivery fees associated with meal and grocery delivery, to convenience fees associated with financial services (the proposed rule). The proposed rule would generally prohibit the omission of mandatory fees from advertised prices. If finalized, violations of the proposed rule could result in civil penalties of up to $50,120 per violation. The public has 60 days to comment after the proposal is published in the Federal Register.Continue Reading FTC Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Requiring Disclosure of Fees in Consumer Goods and Services