AI calling and the rules that apply

AI employees can answer and place phone calls for your business. Calls are regulated, and the business that makes them is responsible for following the rules. This page explains how Abraxas handles the points in our Terms, clause 8. It is general information, not legal advice. Take local advice for the places you call.

The call starts with a disclosure

Every call made or answered by an Abraxas voice AI employee begins with a disclosure in the language of the call, for example: "Hi, this is [Name], an automated AI assistant calling for [Business]. This call is recorded." The AI never claims to be human, including when asked. The recording announcement cannot be turned off.

Consent comes from you

You decide whom your AI employee calls. Before it calls a mobile or residential number, you must have the called person's prior express consent where the law requires it, and prior express written consent for any call that markets your goods or services. In the United States, the FCC's Declaratory Ruling of 8 February 2024 (FCC 24-17) confirmed that AI-generated voices are "artificial" voices under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, so its artificial and prerecorded voice rules apply to AI voice calls. You should keep a record of where each consent came from.

Opt-outs are honoured

People may withdraw consent in any reasonable way, including by saying "stop" on a call. Abraxas records an opt-out made on a call and adds the number to your do-not-call list automatically. Opted-out numbers and addresses are not contacted again. You must also honour opt-outs you receive outside the service.

Do-not-call lists and calling hours

Do not use the service to make marketing calls to numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry or on your own do-not-call list, unless an exception applies. Abraxas lets outbound calls through only between 8 am and 8 pm in the called person's local time.

State and local rules

Many US states have their own telemarketing laws, and some limit how many times you can call the same person. Call-recording rules also differ: some places require every party to consent. International calling is off by default and an account owner has to turn it on.

Your review queue stays in charge

New AI employees start in shadow mode, and nothing goes out until it is approved in the review queue. The autonomy dial lets you decide how much they do on their own. See Why Abraxas and the FAQ.