Definition of the word robocall

The term "robocall" originated in the late 1990s to describe a new technology that allowed pre-recorded voice messages to be delivered to multiple telephone numbers simultaneously through automated dialing systems. The name "robocall" combines the words "robot" and "call" to convey the idea that these calls were being made by machines rather than live operators. The first robocalls were typically used for advertising and marketing purposes, but they quickly gained notoriety for their intrusive nature and widespread use in telemarketing campaigns, leading to widespread consumer frustration and legislative action to curb their abuse. Today, robocalls are increasingly being targeted by sophisticated spam filters and anti-spam technologies, but they continue to pose a persistent challenge in the age of ubiquitous and often unregulated telecommunications technologies.