FCC Seeks Comment on Blackboard TCPA Petition

The FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau sought comment on a petition by Blackboard for clarification of Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules on calls to wireless phones. Blackboard offers a mass notification platform, Blackboard Connect, “that allows Blackboard’s customers to send notifications to parents, students, faculty, and others ‘regarding emergency weather closures, threat situations, event scheduling, or to provide other important education-related information,’” the bureau said Monday. Blackboard said systems using its service are responsible for obtaining prior consent from called parties, the bureau said. “Blackboard argues that the autodialed or prerecorded messages sent by its customers using Blackboard Connect comprise calls made for emergency purposes and are therefore permissible under the Commission’s rules without the recipient’s prior express consent.” The bureau sought comment on the various issues raised by the petition. Comments are due April 22, replies May 7.