Navigating the 2025 FCC Regulations for Lead Generation and AI-Driven Communication
September 13, 2024
Compliance
new 2025 fcc regulations

The landscape of marketing and lead generation is set to undergo significant changes with the upcoming 2025 FCC regulations. As a leader in AI-driven communication and a compliance-first company, Structurely is committed to helping businesses understand these changes and adapt their strategies to remain compliant while optimizing lead follow-up. This article will unpack the new regulations, explore their implications for AI-driven texting and calling, and highlight the opportunities available before the new rules go into effect.


Understanding the 2025 FCC Ruling

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a critical update to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) that will take effect on January 27, 2025. This new regulation specifically targets companies that use an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) for outbound marketing calls and text messages. The core change in this ruling is the shift from “one-to-many” consent to “one-to-one” consent for all marketing leads.

Key Changes in the Ruling

The 2025 FCC ruling mandates that when companies purchase marketing leads, they must obtain explicit, “one-to-one” consent from each individual lead. Previously, many companies operated under a “one-to-many” consent model, where a single consent form might cover multiple contacts or communications. Under the new rule, each lead must provide individual consent for every marketing outreach.

This change presents a substantial challenge for companies relying on large-scale marketing campaigns. The requirement for “one-to-one” consent means that businesses can no longer purchase bulk leads under a generalized consent agreement and must ensure that each lead has explicitly agreed to receive marketing communications.

Moreover, the ruling stipulates that companies using an ATDS must comply with this new consent requirement for both old and new leads. This means that even leads obtained before the ruling goes into effect must have “one-to-one” consent if contacted after January 27, 2025.

Implications of the Ruling

For companies that currently rely on ATDS for their marketing efforts, this ruling presents significant risks. Many existing lead databases may not meet the new consent requirements, rendering them unusable under the new regulation. Companies must either acquire costly new leads with “one-to-one” consent or face potential penalties for non-compliance.

Additionally, the ruling impacts the technology used for outbound marketing. The definition of an ATDS has been a contentious issue in recent years, with various court cases and FCC rulings attempting to clarify what constitutes an ATDS. The 2025 ruling reinforces the need for companies to carefully evaluate their dialing systems and ensure they are compliant with the new regulations.


Implications for Lead Generation and Follow-Up

The 2025 FCC ruling has far-reaching implications for lead generation and follow-up strategies. Businesses that rely on purchased leads must now navigate the complexities of obtaining “one-to-one” consent for each lead. This shift requires a fundamental change in how companies approach lead generation, acquisition, and outreach.

Challenges Posed by the New Regulations

The transition to “one-to-one” consent presents several challenges for businesses. First, the cost of acquiring leads is likely to increase as companies seek to purchase leads with the necessary consent already in place. Lead suppliers will need to adjust their practices to comply with the new regulations, which could drive up prices for compliant leads.

Second, companies must ensure that their existing lead databases meet the new consent requirements. This process may involve reaching out to existing leads to obtain updated consent, a time-consuming and potentially expensive endeavor. Companies that fail to secure the necessary consent may be forced to abandon large portions of their lead databases, resulting in lost opportunities and reduced marketing effectiveness.

Impact on AI-Driven Texting and Calling

For companies like Structurely that specialize in AI-driven lead follow-up, the 2025 FCC ruling presents both challenges and opportunities. AI systems designed for texting and calling must be adapted to ensure compliance with the new consent requirements. This includes integrating mechanisms to verify and record “one-to-one” consent for each lead before initiating contact.

However, the ruling also highlights the importance of using advanced AI technologies to navigate these regulatory changes. AI-driven systems can help businesses efficiently manage their lead databases, ensuring that all contacts meet the necessary consent requirements. By automating the process of obtaining and verifying consent, AI can help businesses maintain compliance while continuing to engage with leads effectively.


Strategic Opportunities Before the Regulation Takes Effect

While the 2025 FCC ruling introduces new challenges, it also presents strategic opportunities for businesses to optimize their lead follow-up strategies before the regulation takes effect. Companies that act now can take advantage of the transition period to process their existing leads and prepare for the new compliance landscape.

Processing Old Leads with Structurely AI

One of the most significant opportunities for businesses is the ability to process old leads before the new regulation goes into effect. Under the current rules, businesses can still contact leads using “one-to-many” consent. This window of opportunity allows companies to maximize their outreach efforts and engage with as many leads as possible before the January 2025 deadline.

Structurely’s AI-driven platform is uniquely positioned to help businesses capitalize on this opportunity. By leveraging Structurely AI, companies can efficiently follow up with their existing leads, ensuring that they make the most of their current databases before the new regulations render them non-compliant. Structurely’s AI can automate the process of contacting leads, streamlining outreach efforts and improving conversion rates.

In addition to processing old leads, Structurely AI can help businesses identify leads that are most likely to convert, allowing them to prioritize their outreach efforts. By focusing on high-value leads, companies can maximize their return on investment and achieve better results from their marketing campaigns.

Transitioning to Compliance

As the January 2025 deadline approaches, businesses must begin transitioning to the new “one-to-one” consent model. This process involves evaluating current lead generation practices, updating consent mechanisms, and ensuring that all future leads meet the new compliance requirements.

One of the most important steps in this transition is evaluating the technology used for outbound marketing. Companies must determine whether their current systems qualify as an ATDS and, if so, consider upgrading to a non-ATDS solution that allows for continued outreach without the risk of non-compliance.

Safe Select by Customer Dynamics offers a turnkey solution for businesses seeking to maintain compliance under the new regulations. Safe Select is a non-ATDS solution that allows companies to continue calling and texting leads using “one-to-many” consent. The key to Safe Select’s compliance is its Human Sequence Selection technology, which ensures that all outbound communications meet the necessary regulatory standards.

For businesses that choose to upgrade to Safe Select or a similar non-ATDS solution, the transition can be seamless. By integrating Safe Select with Structurely AI, companies can continue to engage with leads using their existing databases while ensuring compliance with the new regulations.


Structurely’s Commitment to Compliance

At Structurely, compliance is at the core of everything we do. As an authority on A2P compliance, we understand the complexities of navigating regulatory changes and are committed to helping our clients stay ahead of the curve. Our AI-driven platform is designed with compliance in mind, ensuring that all communications meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance.

Structurely’s Compliance-First Approach

Structurely’s compliance-first approach means that our AI systems are built to prioritize adherence to regulations like the TCPA and the upcoming 2025 FCC ruling. Our platform includes features that allow businesses to verify and record consent, ensuring that all lead follow-up activities are compliant with the latest rules.

Moreover, Structurely AI is continuously updated to reflect changes in regulatory requirements. As new rules and guidelines are introduced, our team works to ensure that our platform remains compliant, providing our clients with the peace of mind that their marketing efforts are aligned with the latest legal standards.

Staying Ahead of Regulatory Changes

Staying ahead of regulatory changes is essential for businesses that want to maintain a competitive edge. The 2025 FCC ruling is just one example of how quickly the regulatory landscape can shift, and businesses must be prepared to adapt.

At Structurely, we believe that proactive compliance is the key to success in a rapidly changing environment. By working with Structurely, businesses can stay informed about the latest regulatory developments and receive guidance on how to adjust their strategies accordingly. Our team of experts is always available to provide support and advice, helping our clients navigate the complexities of compliance with confidence.


Conclusion

The 2025 FCC regulations represent a significant shift in how businesses can engage with leads through outbound marketing calls and text messages. The transition from “one-to-many” to “one-to-one” consent presents both challenges and opportunities for companies that rely on lead generation and follow-up strategies.

By understanding the implications of these new regulations and acting now to process existing leads, businesses can maximize their outreach efforts before the new rules take effect. Structurely’s AI-driven platform offers a powerful solution for businesses looking to optimize their lead follow-up strategies while maintaining compliance with the latest regulations.

As the January 2025 deadline approaches, Structurely remains committed to helping businesses navigate these changes and stay ahead of the competition. By leveraging our compliance-first AI technology, businesses can continue to engage with leads effectively while ensuring that all communications meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance.

For businesses seeking guidance on how to adapt to the new FCC regulations, Structurely is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how our AI-driven platform can support your compliance efforts and help you achieve success in the ever-evolving world of lead generation and marketing.


References:
  1. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (2024). “Quick Study: New FCC Rules on TCPA Compliance for Auto Dialers.” Locke Lord LLP. Retrieved from lockelord.com.
  2. ActiveProspect. (2024). “How the New FCC SMS Update Affects Marketing.” ActiveProspect Blog. Retrieved from activeprospect.com.