EPIC Urges FCC to Protect Consumers from Unwanted “Political” Robocalls

Last week, EPIC filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing a petition from the Club for Growth that requested an exemption from the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s (TCPA) robocall rules. The petition asks the FCC to allow callers to make “political calls” to wireless numbers using an artificial or prerecorded voice, including an AI-generated voice, without obtaining prior express consent. The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau sought comment on the petition on September 4, 2026.

EPIC urged the FCC to deny the petition in its entirety, explaining that the request would subject Americans to an unprecedented wave of unwanted and harassing political robocalls at a time when they are already inundated with scam and other automated calls. Congress enacted the TCPA’s consent requirements to protect privacy, and the interruption and disruption caused by an unwanted call to a cellphone is just as harmful, if not more, when the call is political.

EPIC explained that exempting “political calls” from the TCPA will not serve the public interest and a surge in AI-generated political communications will amplify disinformation and undermine democratic processes. EPIC highlighted that there is no workable definition of a “political call” that exists, making the request untenable.

EPIC has long advocated for strong protections against unwanted automated calls and guardrails on the use of AI when it threatens privacy and democratic integrity. EPIC will continue to urge the FCC to implement and enforce rules that protect all cellphone users from unlawful robocalls.