FCC warns Lyft, bank over robo-call rules
FCC warns Lyft, bank over robo-call rules
September 11 at 8:08 PM
Telemarketing
Lyft and First National Bank are on notice for violating federal telemarketing rules, regulators said Friday.
The two companies allegedly required that their customers accept robo-calls and automatic text messages as a condition of using their services a no-no under the Federal Communications Commissions regulations.
The rules are meant to prevent companies from coercing customers into consenting to robo-calls. Although Lyft allows users to opt out of robo-calls, doing so bars consumers from using the ridesharing service, the FCC said. The two firms could face fines or other legal action if they do not change their behaviors.
This is not the first time the FCC has gone after a business for alleged telephone privacy violations. When PayPal rewrote its corporate policies this year with language similar to Lyfts, it drew the attention of the FCC and members of Congress who argued the move would hurt consumers. PayPal backed down and amended its policies.