NYS Expands Telemarketing Law To Include Text Messages

ALBANY (WENY) – New Yorkers now have increased protections against spam text messages.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation expanding the state’s definition of telemarketing to include marketing by text message.

Previously, under state law, telemarketing only included phone calls, so text messages were exempt from existing protections.

“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,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation closes this annoying loophole and will help ensure our laws are modernized to confront the needs of New Yorkers.”