March 18, 2025 – In a concerted effort to combat the persistent plague of robocalls, New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with a bipartisan group of 27 attorneys general, stepped into the ring to support an FCC rule meant to curb this invasive practice.
According to a press release from James’ office, the said rule would prevent telemarketers from selling consumers’ phone numbers to robocallers without their explicit consent.
This legal maneuver, detailed in an amicus brief, defends the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) directive as within the FCC’s jurisdiction and a potential barrier against widespread fraud.
In her statement, Attorney General James delineates the dual nuisance and hazard that robocalls have become, “New Yorkers and consumers nationwide are sick and tired of receiving unwanted robocalls,” she asserts, and not without cause, “Robocalls are not only annoying but have also led to serious scams that robbed people of millions of dollars. The FCC’s rule would help stop some of these unwanted calls and could protect consumers from fraud. My office is joining attorneys general across the country to defend this rule and help protect consumers.” Robocalls have become a nationwide epidemic, with a staggering $1.2 billion lost to related scams in 2023 alone, as per figures from the Federal Trade Commission, as per New York State Attorney General’s Office.
The proactive intervention of the attorney generals signifies a robust response to an issue deeply embedded in modern communication.
The coalition’s arguments, presented to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, stress the rule’s targeted approach—aiming at the point of data acquisition.
Moreover, consumer protection is fortified by ensuring transparency in consent when individuals divulge contact details to lead generators—the businesses notorious for farming and selling these details to third parties.
Advocating for the FCC’s rule, the coalition is represented by attorneys general from a span of states such as Arizona, California, and Vermont, to name a few.
United in their stance, the attorneys general emphasize the rule’s significance in their brief, arguing that it serves to buttress state efforts against robocalls. A critical aspect of their argument hinges on the notion that consumer consent must be an informed and clear component when sharing their contact information.
By Holden Draper, Hoodline
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