GoDaddy Hit with Text Spam Class Action Lawsuit

GoDaddy.com LLC has been hit with a class action lawsuit accusing the company of violating the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act by sending unsolicited text messages to consumers for various advertisements.

The plaintiff, James Nassiri, accuses GoDaddy of ignoring his requests to not send him text messages, pertaining to their Internet and other domain services. Nassiri alleges in the GoDaddy class action lawsuit that the company used an automated dialing system to call his number and send him the texts, a direct violation of the TCPA.

The problems with unsolicited GoDaddy text messages allegedly began in January when Nassiri visited GoDaddy’s website to purchase domain registration products. During his checkout, the company asked if he would like to receive text messages from them. Despite declining, he started receiving the unwanted texts about a week later, offering GoDaddy advertising discounts for products and services, the GoDaddy class action lawsuit claims.

Under the federal regulation of the TCPA, any calls made with an automated dialing system or automated voice system to make a call or text message, are illegal.  Companies are also required to keep a do-not-call registry, and cannot call the numbers on that list for five years. Companies are supposed to offer this option to their recipients.

Nassiri alleges in the GoDaddy class action lawsuit that GoDaddy did not provide an option to be on a do-not-call registry.  GoDaddy has declined to comment about the class action lawsuit, but denies any wrongdoing.  Nassiri states that his TCPA class action lawsuit is meant to protect him and other customers from unwanted telemarketing acts, including those made in texts.  Nassiri is seeking damages for each unsolicited message sent to him, which could potentially go up to $1,500.

Overview of TCPA Regulations

If companies are found to be in violation of the TCPA, the penalty fees can range from $500 for unintentional violations, up to $1,500 for willful violations. Under the TCPA, all companies are prohibited from making automated calls, using automated dialing systems, using an artificial or prerecorded voice system, to make spam calls or to send spam text messages. Generally, representatives of companies are required provide their name, contact information, and the company they work for, if they make contact with a recipient. They are also required to offer the option of the recipient being placed on their do-not-call list.

Companies must adhere to a number of requirements, set by the TCPA, when calling customers.  Some of these requirements include but is not limited to:

• Companies cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Companies must maintain a do-not-call list of consumers who asked not to be called; to be honored for five years.
• Prohibiting any companies from sending automated telephone equipment or an artificial or prerecorded voice to an emergency line, such as: 911, a hospital emergency number, a physician’s office, a hospital or health care facility, a cellular telephone, or any service for which the recipient is charged for the call.
• Prohibits auto-dialed calls that take up two or more lines of a multi-line business.

The GoDaddy Text Spam Class Action Lawsuit is James Nassiri v. Godaddy.com LLC, case number 2:14-cv-02141, in the United States District Court of Central California.

File a Text Spam Class Action Lawsuit Claim

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a TCPA violation, you have legal options.  See if you qualify at the Text Message Spam, Unwanted Cell Phone Calls TCPA Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation.