ATDS

Automatic Telephone Dialing System

An ATDS is a piece of technology that has the capacity to store or produce telephone numbers to be called, and to dial such numbers without human intervention. ATDS technology can also be used to send pre-recorded or artificial voice messages.

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the United States, telemarketing calls and text messages made using an ATDS are subject to certain restrictions and requirements, including the requirement to obtain prior express written consent from the consumer. The definition of an ATDS has been the subject of some controversy and debate, with different courts and regulatory agencies providing different interpretations of the term.

In general, an ATDS is any device or system that has the capacity to store or produce telephone numbers to be called, and to dial such numbers without human intervention, even if it requires some degree of human intervention to initiate the call or message. This can include traditional automatic dialing systems, as well as more modern systems that use artificial intelligence or predictive dialing algorithms.

It’s important for businesses that engage in telemarketing or text messaging to be aware of the TCPA’s requirements for the use of ATDS technology, and to ensure that they have obtained the necessary prior express written consent from consumers before using such technology to make calls or send messages.

• Abbreviation: ATDS