FCC: Robocalls Be Gone!

Telemarketers won't be able to interrupt your dinner anymore. The Federal Communications Commission Wednesday voted unanimously to adopt new rules cracking down on those annoying robocalls that seem to come at the most inopportune moment.

The new rules close current loopholes in the law by requiring telemarketers to obtain prior written (or electronic) consent from consumers before delivering robocalls on the telephone or text messages on mobile devices. With each call, telemarketers must also offer an easy, interactive opt-in feature.

Voting to pass the rules was a no-brainer for the three commissioners. "Consumers have complained by the thousands," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Like the current rules, charities and political speech are exempt.