Opt-Out

An opt-out is a person's request to stop receiving calls, texts, or emails, or the mechanism that lets them make that request.

Opt-outs come in many forms: "please stop calling," a STOP reply to a text, an unsubscribe link, or pressing a key during an automated call. Whatever the form, the request should be honored.

What the rules say:

• FCC rules require telemarketing calls that use an artificial or prerecorded voice, including AI voices, to provide an automated, interactive opt-out mechanism during the call, offered within two seconds of the identification statement.
• Revocation of consent made in any reasonable manner must be honored within 10 business days.
• Company-specific do-not-call requests must be recorded and honored for 5 years.

Good opt-out practice:

• Make it easy. Do not ask people to call a different number or fill out a form.
• Train reps and configure AI agents to recognize plain language, like "take me off your list."
• Confirm politely and end the call.
• Push opt-outs to every channel and tool that might contact the person.
• Log the date, time, and channel.

An opt-out is not a failure. It saves you time on people who are not interested and protects your caller ID reputation. A smooth opt-out also leaves the door open if they come back later on their own.

Sources

• 47 CFR 64.1200 (eCFR): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-L/section-64.1200 (accessed October 17, 2026)

This entry is general information, not legal advice.