PayPal walks back its controversial robocalling policy

PayPal is changing its tune on sending you automated phone calls and text messages in the face of pushback from regulators and consumers. The company is again amending its user agreement just two days before its updated policies were to take effect. Under the changes, PayPal promises not to robocall you unless you've previously given the company your prior, express written consent. That means it also won't require users to opt-in to receiving robocalls as a condition of continuing to use the mobile payments service. And the company is also clarifying its user agreement to state that PayPal will primarily use robocalling to "detect, investigate and protect our customers from fraud" or to notify users about account activity.

"We have also been working proactively with regulators to clarify that our focus is on our customers, on consumer protection and on doing the right thing," PayPal said. "We appreciate the feedback our customers have provided to us on this issue and apologize for any confusion we may have caused." "I commend PayPal for taking steps to honor consumer choices to be free from unwanted calls and texts," said Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc. "These changes, along with PayPal’s commitments to improve its disclosures and make it easier for consumers to express their calling preferences, are significant and welcome improvements."