FCC Requests Comments on NorthStar Avatar Petition

Last month, NorthStar Alarm Services, LLC filed a petition with the FCC regarding soundboard technology, also known as avatar. Avatar technology functions by allowing a live caller to speak with a call recipient using prerecorded voice snippets. The FCC has sent out a request for comments on this petition. Comments are due on March 15th, and reply comments are due on March 29th. Read the FCC's full request for comments here.
Specifically, NorthStar asked the FCC to rule that: "1) The use of soundboard technology does not constitute the use of an artificial or prerecorded voice that delivers a message under the TCPA; or, in the alternative, 2) The use of soundboard technology on a one-to-one basis, whereby the soundboard agent conducts only one call with one individual at a single time, does not constitute the use of an artificial or prerecorded voice that delivers a message under the TCPA."'

Business owners should consider commenting on this petition to encourage the FCC to provide a positive ruling for the industry. Learn more about avatar telemarketing compliance, telemarketing rules, telemarketing license requirements, and telemarketing compliance. Contact a telemarketing law firm or telemarketing attorney if you need help in any TCPA compliance matter. 

Data Privacy Legislation Introduced in Washington State

A comprehensive data privacy bill has been introduced in Washington State. The text of this bill is very similar to the European Union's GDPR that took effect last year. Under this bill, Washington residents would have the right to contact companies to access their personal data in electronic format, have their data deleted or corrected, and opt-out of having any future personal data stored with that company. If this bill passes, it would be one of the strictest data privacy regulations in the United States. Read the full text of the bill here. If your business stores consumers' personal data, be sure to follow the status of this bill and adjust any of your policies accordingly. This bill represents a trend nationwide and you should make sure to be aware of the individual requirements in each state where you store data.

FTC Brings First Case Challenging Fake Paid Reviews

The FTC has filed a complaint against a retail website for allegedly paying third parties to post false and misleading reviews on Amazon. According to the FTC's press release, "The defendants paid a website, amazonverifiedreviews.com, to create and post Amazon reviews of their product. The FTC contends that Jacobowitz told the website’s operator that his product needed to have an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars in order to have sales and to, 'Please make my product … stay a five star.'" If a business uses paid reviews or testimonials to promote their products, they must make clear and conspicuous disclosures that the reviewer was compensated.
If you have any questions about robocall laws, autodialer laws, telemarketing bonds requitements, or cell phone telemarketing regulations, don't hesitate to contact a telemarketing lawyer.