~llnitcd~tatcs ~cnatc
WASHINGTON. DC 20510
May 14,2015
The Honorable Tom Wheeler
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12thSt SW
Washington, DC 20554
Dear Chairman Wheeler:
In January, we wrote to you and urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not to
weaken the privacy protections contained in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of
1991. These protections prevent auto-dialers from making unsolicited and intrusive calls to
consumers at home or on their mobile phones. More than 20 years after the enactment of the
TCPA, it is clear that consumers have benefited from the law's popular privacy protections.
Unfortunately, we understand that the FCC is considering weakening some ofthese important
protections. Specifically, the Commission is assessing whether the FCC should provide
exemptions from liability when auto-dialers are used to make three calls to a person who has not
provided consent. The FCC is also evaluating whether to allow industries to send up to three
unsolicited texts or calls per day without consent in certain circumstances. These proposals
would threaten privacy and result in an increase in disruptive and annoying calls for American
consumers.
Current law already permits industries to make unsolicited calls to consumers so long as the
consumer's number is manually dialed. Additionally, companies can auto-dial a consumer's
phone number with a consumer's consent. Accordingly, there is no need to make the proposed
changes to the TCP A
Consumers already believe they receive too many unwanted calls and texts. The Federal Trade
Commission reported more than three million telemarketing complaints and the FCC reported
more than 100,000 in recent years. The potential changes to the TCPA could make matters
worse. We strongly urge the FCC to maintain the TCP A's privacy protections and to continue to
protect consumers from unwanted calls.
Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Sincerely,
~&~. ~ Ck6ner~
United States Senator United States Senator
The Honorable Tom Wheeler
May 14,2015
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Al Franken
United States Senator