NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — New York is expanding its telemarketing rules to protect residents from unwanted text messages.
Last year, the legislature passed stricter rules on telemarketing to crack down on unwanted robocalls.
The rules, however, did not include texts.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed a new law closing that loophole, expanding the state's definition of telemarketing to include text messages.
Previously the legal definition of telemarketing, also known as robocalling, was limited to phone calls.
"Our consumer protections need to keep pace with technology and New Yorkers who have long been plagued by the nuisance of annoying calls from telemarketers now have to contend with unwanted texts attempting to sell them things they don't want," Cuomo said. "This legislation closes this annoying loophole and will help ensure our laws are modernized to confront the needs of New Yorkers."
According to Assembly Member Kenny Burgos, New Yorkers on the "Do Not Call Registry" will no longer receive unwanted text messages from telemarketers.
"Aggressive telemarketing has long been an annoyance and potential source of fraud preying upon consumers, so much that we have had to establish a do not call registry to keep New Yorkers from being inundated with unwanted and often unscrupulous solicitation," Senator Leroy Comrie said. "Now that cell phones are as common, if not more than landlines, electronic text messages to our mobile devices have become the newest unwelcomed invasive marketing technique. Consumers should not be burdened with excessive and predatory telemarketing in any form, including text messages."
The law takes effect in 30 days.
The federal government has also taken steps to limit robocalls.