No more robots

The FTC has put an end to most commercial robocalls, according to the LA Times:

Such prerecorded commercial calls offering services and products such as carpet cleaning or car warranties will be a thing of the past unless telemarketers have written permission from consumers that they want to receive these calls, the commission said Thursday. Violators will face penalties of up to $16,000 per call.

Automated calls for debt collections and flight information will still be allowed, as will those from banks, insurers, phone companies and, of course, politicians.