Telephone Privacy Law Includes Cell Phones and Doesn't Allow the Use of Auto Dialers in Certain Situations

A recent law in Indianapolis, Indiana has now expanded the protection of phone numbers on the Do Not Call list to Indiana cell phones. Late last week, Governor Mitch Daniels signed the bill that updates the state's telephone privacy laws. The law as well outlaws auto dialers from sending pre-recorded messages without a live operator, instead requiring consent from the consumer first previously leaving the message.

Article from wane

According to an article from wane.com, the newly revised law will now incorporate cell phone numbers, prepaid wireless calling and internet enabled VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services.

The Do Not Call list is updated four times a year, with the then deadline to add a number to the list beginning Tuesday, May 17. Phone numbers placed on the list by 11:59 p.m. May 17 will be fully protected by the law starting July 1, 2011. Out of state area codes can as well be registered as long as the billing address is located somewhere in the vicinity of Indiana, which works to the advantage of out-of-state college students currently hitting the books in that state.

At present, more than 1.8 million phone numbers are registered on the Do Not Call list, nevertheless one third of all eligible phone numbers are nevertheless not registered, according to the article. Registering your number on this list is in the extreme easy and works in conjunction with the efforts exerted by the attorney general’s office who are indiscriminately prosecuting telemarketers who are in violation of the newly updated law.