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There’s a lot you can ignore in marketing, but legal compliance isn’t one of them. Especially when a quiet policy change in California nearly stripped shops of their ability to track marketing ROI overnight. This episode dives into the legalities of call recording, AI evaluations, tracking numbers, and the kind of red tape that can blindside your business if you’re not paying attention. Brian Walker sat down with David Boyd from Inbound at AAPEX to talk through what’s happening, what’s coming, and how to protect your shop without sacrificing performance. If you’ve ever used call tracking, AI analysis, or just assumed “someone else is handling that,” you need to hear this.

Listen in and make sure you’re not one policy update away from a lawsuit.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Conference Setting (00:00:10) Brian introduces the guest, David Lloyd, and discusses the conference atmosphere at AAPEX.
• California BAR Regulation on Phone Numbers (00:02:01) Discussion of California’s Bureau of Auto Repair rule on using only registered phone numbers in advertising.
• Implications and Confusion Around Enforcement (00:04:30) Exploring the impact of the regulation, confusion among advertisers, and lack of clear communication from BAR.
• Staying Informed and Advocacy (00:06:16) Importance of involvement in advocacy groups and staying updated on regulatory changes, especially state-by-state.
• AI and Legal Uncertainty in Call Evaluation (00:08:18) Rapid AI development, legal gray areas, and the use of AI to evaluate recorded calls.
• Call Recording Laws and Best Practices (00:09:19) Explanation of two-party consent laws, best practices for call recording, and new privacy concerns with AI evaluation.
• One-Party Consent States and Third-Party Evaluation (00:11:37) Uncertainty about notification requirements in one-party consent states when AI or third parties evaluate calls.
• Employee Notification and Documentation (00:15:46) Advising shop owners to inform employees about call recording and document consent in employee handbooks.
• AI, Data Privacy, and Business Risks (00:16:54) Concerns about AI handling personal data, privacy risks, and the need for responsible AI use in business.
• Personalization and AI Data Collection (00:19:47) How AI personalizes responses, collects user data, and the potential for identity exposure.
• Establishing an AI Use Policy (00:21:07) Recommendation for businesses to create and enforce an AI use policy signed by all employees.
• Vendor Relationships and Regulatory Awareness (00:22:43) Encouragement to maintain open communication with vendors and stay aware of legal and regulatory changes.
• Podcast Network App Promotion and Closing (00:23:44) Promotion of the Automotive Repair Podcast Network app and closing remarks.

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