Dish Network Fined $280 Million for Millions of Illegal Robocalls

The DOJ and FTC alleged that Dish Network and its telemarketing contractors conducted a massive campaign of illegal telephone solicitations. The company and its agents made millions of calls to phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, called consumers who had specifically asked not to be contacted, and used pre-recorded messages without consent.

The calls were not just annoying — they violated federal law. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule specifically prohibit calling numbers on the Do Not Call Registry and using robocalls without prior express consent.

Dish argued that it was not responsible for the calls made by its independent contractors. But the court found that Dish had authorized and was aware of the calling practices, and could not shield itself from liability by outsourcing the illegal conduct to third parties.

The case was significant because it established that companies cannot escape liability for illegal telemarketing simply by hiring outside firms to make the calls.