Health providers can send automated calls and texts during the novel coronavirus outbreak without violating an anti-robocall law, the Federal Communications Commission said.
The FCC said in a declaratory ruling that the Covid-19 pandemic qualifies as an emergency under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which generally prohibits automated or pre-recorded calls and texts without recipients’ permission.
The entities that can make automated calls related to the pandemic without getting the prior consent under an “emergency purposes” exception include hospitals, health care providers, state and local health officials, and other government officials, the FCC said.
The FCC’s ruling clears the way ...