The National Do Not Call Registry applies to phone calls made through what type of communication?

The National Do Not Call Registry is primarily designed to protect consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls, and it applies specifically to interstate communications. This means it covers calls that cross state lines, typically involving telemarketers who are using telephone lines to reach consumers in different states.

When a telemarketer makes a call from one state to a resident in another state, that interaction falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which oversees the enforcement of the Do Not Call laws. The registry ensures that consumers who have registered their phone numbers do not receive calls from telemarketers who operate across state borders, thereby enhancing consumer protection.

In contrast, calls made within the same state, referred to as intrastate calls, may have different regulations and are not governed by the National Do Not Call Registry in the same way. This distinction is crucial for understanding why interstate communications are specifically referenced in relation to the registry's provisions.