The Federal Trade Commission, that good old shoplifting whore, has finally decided to make automated marketing robocalls illegal starting next week. After September 1, violators may get fines of up to $16,000 per call, except for the usual suspects.Who these may be, you ask? Who? Yes, you guessed it: Politicians asking for money would still be able to do it. And their friends the banks too. And charities and churches. And, let's not forget, those providing with the whole infrastructure to keep bugging you with stupid automated marketing calls: The lovely telephone companies.
What makes the whole thing ironic are FTC's Chairman Jon Leibowitz words after the ban was approved:
Starting September 1, this bombardment of prerecorded pitches, senseless solicitations, and malicious marketing will be illegal. If consumers think they're being harassed by robocallers, they need to let us know, and we will go after them.
So, Mr. Leibowitz, could you please explain to us why politicians, banks, charities, and telephone companies making "prerecorded pitches, senseless solicitations, and malicious marketing" won't be as illegal as the rest of the annoying morons calling with the same "prerecorded pitches, senseless solicitations, and malicious marketing" messages? Please leave your answer in the comments. [Ars Technica]
