The FCC is changing how consumers can revoke their consent to automated phone calls and texts. As of April 11, 2025, organizations bound by TCPA regulations must honor requests to revoke consent made by “reasonable means.” By April 11, 2026, organizations must consider that consent revoked for all communications going forward.
Important to know:
- Emergency calls only are exempt from these rules
- Organizations must provide clear opt-out instructions at the beginning of messages (live as of 2025)
- Revocation of consent must be processed within 10 days (live as of April 2025)
- Organizations must consider consent revoked for all communications and channels following customer opt-out (to go live in April 2026)
How consumers can revoke their consent under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is changing in 2025 (and now, in 2026). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order in February 2024 2 that consumers can, by “any reasonable means,” revoke prior consent as long as that consumer “clearly expresses a desire not to receive further calls or text messages.”
These changes were originally slated to go into effect on April 11, 2025. However, some of the changes have been delayed until April 2026 1, giving utilities more time to ensure their communications practices comply with new TCPA regulations.
But what do these changes mean for utilities and how can they prepare? How is Message Broadcast, a key pillar in utility customer engagement, preparing? Let’s examine the new rules and exactly how Message Broadcast can help utilities prepare.
What are the Revocation Rules?
The Revocation Rules address consumer rights to revoke consent 3 to receive communications from autodialed calls and texts. As long as a consumer uses “any reasonable manner” to revoke this consent, the business must honor that request and cease further communications.
In text messages, reasonable means looks like responding to messages with keywords like “stop,” “quit,” “end”, “cancel,” “opt out”, or “unsubscribe.” If a company provides a specific way for its recipients to revoke consent, the company must honor every revocation request.
The TCPA changes taking effect in 2025
As of April 11, 2025 2, companies that fall under TCPA regulations must:
- Honor all revocation requests made by any reasonable means
- Include clear opt-out instructions at the beginning of all voice calls and text messages
- Implement automated processing for standard text message opt-out keywords (i.e., STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, etc.)
- Process revocation requests “as soon as practicable” but within 10 business days
- Retain records of consent and revocation for at least four years
The TCPA changes taking effect in 2026
Mere days before April 11, 2025, the FCC granted a one-year extension1 to a key portion of the updated changes. The delayed portion states that, when an individual revokes consent to receive calls or texts, that consent is considered definitively revoked and the caller may not send further calls or texts absent an exemption to the consent obligation.
Emergency calls are fully exempt from TCPA consent and revocation rules (there are other call types that are also exempt4 from revocation rules, but explanations are lengthy).
There are significant costs and challenges to meeting these changes, which is why the FCC granted the extension. These changes also spur many questions for utilities. Are communications of load shed events or outages considered emergent? How can utilities continue to optimize CAPEX/OPEX if they cannot contact customers about energy efficiency initiatives?
You should also begin planning for cross-business-unit revocation handling in advance of the April 11, 2026 deadline. Educate your internal teams and continue to maintain comprehensive consent and opt-out records.
How Message Broadcast will help navigate TCPA changes in 2025 and 2026
All Message Broadcast products are committed to providing native adherence to TCPA regulations. Our Product team is already working on platform updates to ensure full compliance with the 2026 consent revocation deadline.
In the coming months, we will provide our customers with guidance as to how our platform handles revocation logic under the updated rules. We will also offer documentation and best practices for messaging configuration and staff training.
Your support team is also ready to co-develop a compliance plan with your team so you can be prepared for the 2026 requirements. We are always available to address questions on any topic regarding your current and future messaging programs.
References:
- Federal Communications Commission. (2025). Order granting limited waiver of TCPA revocation rule effective date (DA 25-312).
- Federal Communications Commission. (2024). Report and order and further notice of proposed rulemaking on TCPA consent and revocation (FCC 24-24).
- Eversheds Sutherland. (2025). FCC revocation rules poised to take effect.
- Federal Communications Commission. (2024). 47 CFR § 64.1200 – Restrictions on telephone solicitations.