Plain-language glossary
Useful terms, without turning a label into a conclusion.
These definitions orient a reader to the source material. Statutory and regulatory terms should always be checked in their current official context.
- Artificial or prerecorded voice
- A voice generated or recorded before the call. FCC rules address certain calls that use these voices; consent, line type, purpose, and exemptions can matter.
- Automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS)
- A statutory TCPA term defined in 47 U.S.C. § 227. The Supreme Court interpreted its random-or-sequential-number-generator language in Facebook v. Duguid.
- Called party
- A term used in the TCPA and FCC rules. Its meaning can be important in consent, reassigned-number, and revocation questions.
- Caller ID spoofing
- Manipulation of displayed caller information so the number or name shown may not identify the source of the call.
- Company-specific do-not-call request
- A request directed to a particular caller or seller to stop covered telephone solicitations. It is distinct from national registry placement.
- Consent
- Permission to receive particular communications. Required form and scope can depend on the rule, purpose, technology, sender, and message.
- Established business relationship
- A defined relationship that can affect some telephone-solicitation rules. It does not answer every consent or technology question.
- Lead generator
- An entity that collects or develops prospective-customer information and may transfer it to sellers, agencies, or other buyers.
- National Do Not Call Registry
- The federal registry for consumers who want to limit many telemarketing calls. Official FTC guidance describes coverage and exclusions.
- Prior express written consent
- A defined written agreement used in FCC telemarketing rules. The current regulation should be checked for the exact elements.
- Reassigned number
- A telephone number that moved from a prior subscriber to a new one, creating possible mismatch between historical consent and the current user.
- Revocation
- A withdrawal of consent. Current FCC rules recognize several reasonable methods and address timing, confirmation, and other circumstances.
- Robotext
- An FCC term commonly used for texts made with technology or in circumstances addressed by robocall and robotext rules. It is not a conclusion that a text is unlawful.
- Short code
- A shortened sender identifier used for high-volume texting. Preserve it, but do not assume it alone identifies the legal sender.
- Telephone solicitation
- A defined call or message encouraging the purchase, rental, or investment in property, goods, or services, subject to stated exclusions.
- Transactional message
- A practical label for account, order, service, or other nonmarketing information. The label is not decisive when content has mixed purposes.