Glossary

Plain-language definitions.

Search the terms that show up in robocall, text-message, and telemarketing rules—then follow the link to the page that explains each one in context.

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25 of 25 terms

31-day rule: The period after registering a number before covered telemarketers are expected to stop calling it.
Autodialer (ATDS): An automatic telephone dialing system. Since Facebook v. Duguid, the federal definition covers equipment that uses a random or sequential number generator to store or produce phone numbers.
Caller ID spoofing: Falsifying the number shown on your phone. Spoofing with intent to defraud or cause harm is illegal under federal law.
Company-specific Do Not Call request: Asking one particular company to stop calling you. This applies even to callers the Registry does not cover.
Established business relationship: A recent purchase or inquiry that can create a limited exception allowing a seller to call a registered number.
Facebook v. Duguid: A 2021 Supreme Court decision narrowing the federal autodialer definition to devices using a random or sequential number generator.
FCC: The Federal Communications Commission. It writes and enforces communications rules, interprets parts of the TCPA, and receives consumer complaints.
FDCPA: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which limits how covered debt collectors may contact consumers. Original creditors are often outside its definition.
FTC: The Federal Trade Commission. It runs the National Do Not Call Registry, enforces the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and takes fraud reports.
National Do Not Call Registry: A free federal registry at DoNotCall.gov. Registration generally does not expire, and covered sellers should stop sales calls after 31 days.
One-to-one consent rule: An FCC rule that would have required separate consent for each seller. A federal appeals court vacated it, so it is not currently in effect.
Prerecorded or artificial voice: A message played by a machine rather than spoken live. The FCC has confirmed that AI-generated voices count as artificial voices.
Prior express consent: Permission to receive certain automated calls or texts. The level of permission required depends on whether the message is marketing and what technology is used.
Prior express written consent: A stricter, signed written agreement generally required before automated telemarketing calls or texts.
Private right of action: A consumer's ability to sue directly, rather than relying only on an agency. Regulatory complaints and private lawsuits are separate paths.
Regulation F (7-in-7): A CFPB rule under which more than seven calls in seven days about a particular debt can create a rebuttable presumption of harassment. It is not an absolute cap.
Revocation of consent: Withdrawing permission to be contacted. Consumers may revoke through reasonable methods, and covered callers must generally honor a request within no more than 10 business days.
Robocall: A common term for a call delivered with an autodialer or a prerecorded or artificial voice. Not every robocall is illegal—consent, purpose, and exemptions matter.
Robotext: An automated text message. Many of the same consent rules that apply to automated calls also apply to texts.
Statute of limitations: The deadline for filing a claim. Federal TCPA claims generally carry a four-year limitations period.
Statutory damages: Amounts set by statute rather than proven loss. The TCPA allows actual loss or $500 per violation, whichever is greater.
TCPA: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 federal law that restricts certain automated calls, prerecorded or artificial-voice messages, texts, and telemarketing practices.
Telemarketing: Calls or messages made to encourage the purchase of goods or services. Purely informational, political, charitable, and survey calls are treated differently.
Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR): The FTC rule governing telemarketing conduct, including disclosures, calling hours, and Do Not Call obligations.
Willful or knowing violation: A finding that can allow a court to increase a TCPA award to as much as $1,500 per violation. It is a possibility, not a guarantee.

These definitions are simplified for general education and are not legal advice. Official wording lives in the statutes, FCC and FTC rules, and court decisions linked from each topic page.