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The first step to understanding compliance is understanding the terminology of compliance.

What is a robocall?

An autodialer with a prerecorded message (commonly referred to as a “robocall”) automatically dials a phone number and waits for a live answer. Upon answer, a prerecorded message will play. If the consumer is then prompted to interact with the system by pressing buttons, this is known as interactive voice response. There is normally a delay between the consumer answering and the connection to the prerecorded message.

Further Reading

What is the definition of express written consent?

As defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), prior express written consent is a written agreement between the caller and the receiver of the call that clearly authorizes the caller to deliver “advertisements or telemarketing messages using an automatic telephone dialing system [(ATDS)]or an artificial pre-recorded voice.” This type of consent must specify the phone number to be called and must also include the receiver’s written or electronic signature, which may be a signed piece of paper, or simply a button press affirming the agreement.

What is the TSR?

First enacted into the federal register in 1995 and amended numerous times since, the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) is the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) primary document for enforcing telemarketing regulations, particularly the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry.