Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid

Facebook and Noah Duguid are fighting over whether Facebook's login-alert text system counts as an automatic telephone dialing system under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The justices are being asked whether a device must use a random or sequential number generator to fall under that law.

The case is still pending, and no oral argument is scheduled yet. Facebook argues the law covers only systems that use a random or sequential number generator, while Duguid argues the definition is broader.

The answer could affect when companies can send automated texts without consent, including security alerts and marketing messages. It also matters to consumers who say they received unwanted texts from systems that pull numbers from stored lists.

The next key step is oral argument or another scheduling move from the Court. No decision window is available yet.

The case asks whether Facebook's text-alert system is covered by the federal autodialer ban. The key issue is whether the system must use a random or sequential number generator.

A broad reading could expose many companies to lawsuits over automated texts from stored customer lists. A narrow reading could limit claims by people who got unwanted messages.

Watch for the Supreme Court to schedule oral argument or make another calendar move. That will show when the justices are ready to publicly test each side's reading of the law.