Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act of 2025; DO NOT Call Act
Summary
The Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act of 2025, or the DO NOT Call Act, aims to strengthen the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1993 by increasing penalties for violations. It introduces criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for those who willfully and knowingly violate the act. Aggravated offenses, such as initiating a large volume of calls or using calls to further felonies, carry more severe penalties.
Expected Effects
The bill seeks to reduce the number of unwanted and illegal telephone calls by creating stronger deterrents. This includes increasing fines for providing inaccurate caller identification information. Ultimately, this will protect consumers from harassment and potential fraud.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced number of illegal and unwanted telephone calls.
- Increased protection for consumers from harassment and fraud.
- Stronger deterrents for those engaging in illegal telemarketing practices.
- Potential for increased public trust in telecommunications.
- More accountability for telemarketers and robocallers.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased burden on law enforcement and the justice system.
- Possible challenges in proving willful and knowing violations.
- Risk of unintended consequences for legitimate businesses using telemarketing.
- The effectiveness of the increased penalties may be limited by technological advancements that make it easier to circumvent regulations.
- Potential for increased litigation related to the interpretation and enforcement of the act.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, as telephone calls often cross state lines. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech, as it targets illegal and harmful activities rather than protected expression. The increased penalties are subject to the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, but the penalties appear reasonable in the context of the offenses.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).