FCC Seeks Comment on Political AI Robocall Waiver

The Federal Communications Commission has opened a public comment period on Club for Growth’s request to allow political groups to place prerecorded and artificial-intelligence voice calls to cellphones without getting recipients’ consent first. The commission has not approved the waiver, which could change protections ahead of the November midterm elections. Federal rules generally require prior consent for robocalls to cellphones. In a September 4 notice, the FCC invited comment on the group’s petition to make an exception for political calls. Initial comments were due October 5, and reply comments are due October 19. The commission could then move toward a decision; a ruling in late October has been reported as a possibility, not a certainty. Club for Growth says the waiver would help political organizations reach voters, including in more languages, improve polling, and bring cellphone rules closer to those for landlines, where unsolicited automated calls are allowed. The request proposes limits of no more than three calls to a recipient in 30 days and a 10-day period to process opt-out requests.