A final Federal Communications Commission rule will allow callers, once effective, to interpret an opt-out from informational robocalls as limited to that category, while a separate proposal asks whether they should also have to offer a one-step way to stop all consent-dependent robocalls.
Both texts are scheduled for October 26, 2026 Federal Register publication. They summarize an order adopted September 30 and released October 1; the scheduled publication is not another adoption.
What the final rule changes
The informational-call change means a request to stop payment reminders, for example, need not also stop unrelated fraud alerts or appointment reminders. The FCC says this avoids cutting off communications a consumer still wants.
The rule treats telemarketing differently: revoking consent in response to an advertising or telemarketing call or text revokes consent to future advertising or telemarketing calls or texts from that caller.
Callers may designate an exclusive revocation method from the specified options: an automated, interactive voice or key-press mechanism on a call, standardized reply-text words, or a designated website or telephone number. They must clearly and conspicuously disclose it on the call or in the text. A caller using an exclusive method need not process requests made another way; one that does not must honor requests made by any reasonable means. Existing specified opt-out methods for exempted calls and advertising or telemarketing calls remain required.
Text senders using reply texts as the exclusive method may disclose just one standardized word, such as 'stop', but must recognize all the listed standardized words. The final text retains the requirement to honor revocations within a reasonable time, no more than ten business days after receipt.
What remains proposed
The further notice asks whether to shorten that maximum period, require two-way texting, require a revoke-all method and clarify treatment of affiliates or separate business divisions. It asks about a suggestion to use seven business days unless a caller demonstrates that longer processing is reasonable. It does not adopt that deadline or require a universal opt-out.
Effective date and comment dates
The final inspection copy gives its effective date as '[INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]'. By this desk's count from scheduled October 26 publication, that is November 25; the Register's metadata supplies the same effective date. It is not a comment deadline.
The proposal separately brackets comments at 30 days and replies at 60 days after publication. The Register's metadata assigns November 25 and December 28, 2026. Those are also this desk's counted dates from scheduled publication, with the later date adjusted to the next Federal business day, rather than dates printed in the inspection copy.
The proposal directs electronic comments to the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System under CG Docket No. 02-278.