Calls & text messages
What Is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act?
A plain-English overview of the law.
The reference desk
TCPA Guides
Our guides explain the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) from the ground up, in clear, simple English. Each guide covers a single subject and links to the official sources. If you are new to the TCPA, start with the first guide.
Start here
For consumers
For businesses
Consent & revocation
Consent Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
Prior express consent, written consent and revocation.
The rules in depth
Calls & text messages
Calls, Texts, and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was enacted in 1991, before text messaging existed.
Do Not Call
Do Not Call Rules
The National Do Not Call Registry is the best-known part of United States telemarketing law. It sits on top of two rule sets.
Autodialers & artificial voice
Autodialers, Prerecorded Messages, and Artificial Intelligence Voices
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) puts its strictest limits on two kinds of technology: automatic telephone dialing systems and artificial or prerecorded voices.
FCC & rulemaking
Federal Rules Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
Key orders from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), current rules and pending proposals.
State telemarketing laws
State Telemarketing Laws
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) establishes a federal floor, not a ceiling. States can add their own rules, and many have.
Litigation & decisions
Litigation Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
Lawsuits, damages, class actions and defenses.
Using the guides
The guides give general information about the law. They are not legal advice and cannot tell you how the law applies to your situation. For definitions of common terms, see the Glossary. For the latest developments, see Latest analysis.