Glossary

TCPA (US Telephone Consumer Protection Act)

The TCPA is the US federal law on telemarketing calls and texts: consent, calling hours (8am–9pm local time) and the National Do Not Call Registry.

All terms

Definition

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a 1991 US federal law that restricts telemarketing calls, texts and calls made with an artificial or prerecorded voice. In 2024 the FCC confirmed that AI-generated voices count as artificial voices under the TCPA, so AI voice calls generally need the called person's prior express consent — written consent for marketing. Telephone solicitations are limited to 8am to 9pm in the called person's local time, and numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry must not be called for marketing.

TCPA (US Telephone Consumer Protection Act)Glossary

1AI voice agents in the US

2Voice campaigns

3PECR (UK)

What the TCPA covers

The TCPA covers calls and texts to US phone numbers. Its rules are strictest for calls to mobile phones, calls using an artificial or prerecorded voice, and marketing. Many US states add their own rules on top, some with tighter calling hours or registration requirements.

What it means for AI voice agents

Consent: an AI voice is treated as an artificial voice, so outbound AI calls generally need prior express consent, and marketing calls need prior express written consent.
Calling hours: telephone solicitations only between 8am and 9pm in the called person's local time.
Do Not Call: marketing calls must not go to numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry or your own internal do-not-call list.
Identification and opt-out: the call must say who is calling and let the person opt out.

How ThinnestAI helps

You set the calling hours for each campaign, on the called person's clock — set them to 8am–9pm local time, or narrower where a state requires it. ThinnestAI also keeps a do-not-contact list you maintain so an opted-out person is not called again. ThinnestAI does not check the National Do Not Call Registry or collect consent for you: you are responsible for consent, registry checks and state rules. This is general information, not legal advice.