Seventh Circuit Holds Texts Are Not ‘Telephone Calls’ Under Telephone Consumer Protection Act - InsideARM
Seventh Circuit rules that text messages are not 'telephone calls' under the TCPA, narrowing the scope of the Act's consent and opt-out requirements for texts.
Aforeworn detected this change in the Debt Collection (FDCPA / State) space on July 29, 2026 and published this briefing so affected operators are forewarned rather than caught off guard. It is rated Medium urgency. Debt collectors, collection agencies, debt buyers, and law firms that send text messages to consumers. should confirm how it applies to their specific situation before acting. There is a time constraint attached: No immediate deadline; monitor for further developments or potential appeals.. Acting after that point can mean penalties, a lapsed licence, or lost eligibility — exactly the kind of surprise Aforeworn exists to prevent. Aforeworn monitors Debt Collection (FDCPA / State) continuously and turns every detected change into a plain-English briefing like this one, so you always know first. Forewarned is forearmed.
What changed
The Seventh Circuit held that text messages are not 'telephone calls' under the TCPA, meaning certain TCPA consent and opt-out requirements that apply to calls may not apply to texts in that circuit.
Who it affects
Debt collectors, collection agencies, debt buyers, and law firms that send text messages to consumers.
What you must do
Review current text-messaging compliance policies to determine if they rely on TCPA call rules; consider whether to adjust consent and opt-out procedures for texts in the Seventh Circuit (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin).
Deadline
No immediate deadline; monitor for further developments or potential appeals.
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