The FCC cites Lyft for violating consumer protection laws because San Francisco-based Company which has developed a smartphone app pairing drivers and passengers, block the service for users who have opted out of receiving automated marketing texts and calls. By doing this Lyft is violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
According to Lyft’s terms of service, a user can opt out of robocalls and texts by using the unsubscribe options. But the FCC discovered during its investigation that the company doesn’t provide such options in reality. If users were able to locate opt out page on the company’s website and select that option, they were not able to use the service anymore.
The FCC cites Lyft for violating telemarketing laws and Travis LeBlanc, Head of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, said:
“Consumers have the right to choose whether they want marketing calls and text to their cell phones. Today, we again make clear that such calls and texts are unlawful without express written consumer consent.”
The FCC cites Lyft for violating consumer protection laws, but it only serves as a warning to the San Francisco- based company. No fines have been imposed and no legal action has been taken against Lyft, as of now. But if it continues violating the rules in future, Lyft could be charged fines of up to $16,000 for each day of continued violation, according to the FCC.
The FCC cites Lyft for violating consumer protection laws and after the matter gained attention, the company said users could opt out of receiving automated marketing texts and calls by logging into their accounts and even contact customer care services for that.
A Lyft spokesperson said:
“This is the first we are seeing of the order and are in the process of reviewing it. We look forward to working with the FCC to resolve this issue.”