Are Text Messages Calls? Seventh Circuit's Steidinger Decision Reshapes TCPA Litigation Landscape - Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor
The Seventh Circuit's Steidinger decision clarifies that text messages can be considered 'calls' under the TCPA, potentially expanding liability for SMS marketing and telemarketing campaigns.
Aforeworn detected this change in the Telemarketing & TCPA Compliance space on August 27, 2026 and published this briefing so affected operators are forewarned rather than caught off guard. It is rated High urgency. Contact centers, lead-gen/affiliates, SMS marketers, debt/insurance dialers operating in the Seventh Circuit (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin) or relying on its precedent. should confirm how it applies to their specific situation before acting. There is a time constraint attached: Immediate; no specific deadline provided in the source.. Acting after that point can mean penalties, a lapsed licence, or lost eligibility — exactly the kind of surprise Aforeworn exists to prevent. Aforeworn monitors Telemarketing & TCPA Compliance continuously and turns every detected change into a plain-English briefing like this one, so you always know first. Forewarned is forearmed.
What changed
The court ruled that text messages fall within the TCPA's definition of 'call,' meaning they are subject to the same consent and do-not-call requirements as voice calls.
Who it affects
Contact centers, lead-gen/affiliates, SMS marketers, debt/insurance dialers operating in the Seventh Circuit (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin) or relying on its precedent.
What you must do
Review and update consent mechanisms for SMS campaigns to ensure compliance with TCPA's prior express consent and do-not-call rules, and monitor for potential class-action exposure.
Deadline
Immediate; no specific deadline provided in the source.
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