Robo-dialers have made 1.4 billion calls to Florida residents so far this year according to data from YouMail Inc's "Robo Call Index." That amounts to 77 robo-calls per person in the state.
This is significantly lower than the 4.1 billion calls made to Floridians in 2021, due to the 2021 Telemarketing Act passed by Florida lawmakers to protect residents from robo-dialers.
However, lawmakers have now passed a new bill that would make it easier for telemarketing companies to legally call and text consumers, by eliminating the written consent clause in the current law.
If signed into law by the Governor, the new bill would allow robo-texters to continue texting even without written consent, but consumers could text back the word "stop" to stop receiving texts within 15 days.
Proponents of the measure argue that it would reduce litigation filed against telemarketers, but consumer advocates and affected residents like South Tampa resident Sean Bradley are opposing the bill, calling it "absurd" and disruptive.
Bradley received 79 telemarketing calls in a single day after applying for a mortgage, and he is considering legal action since most of those calls were made without his written consent, as required under the current law.
It's not clear whether or not Governor DeSantis plans to sign this bill into law. Concerned residents can voice their concerns via email by filling out this form.
Source: ABC Action News