FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is proposing rules to crack down on robocalls, robotexts, and telemarketing calls, which is the number one source of consumer complaints at the U.S. Federal Communications Commision. Wheeler said that last year, the FCC received more than 215,000 complaints related to unwanted and intrusive calls and texts.

The proposed rule are aimed at allowing consumers to control the calls and texts they receive, and protect them against robocalls, spam texts, and telemarketing.

The FCC plans to give the green light for robocall-blocking technology, declaring that these market-based solutions can be offered by telephone companies. The Commission also plans to close a number of potential loopholes. For example, the FCC will clarify the definition of "autodialers" to include any technology with the potential to dial random or sequential numbers. This ruling would ensure that robocallers cannot skirt consent requirements through changes in technology design. In adition, the "reassigned number" loophole will be closed, making clear that consumers who inherit a phone number will not be subject to a barrage of unwanted robocalls OK'd by the previous owner of the number.

However, the The FCC will allow some limited and specific exceptions, such as alerts to possible fraud on a user's bank account.