At too-long last, maybe we can get back to something almost as effective as
what the previous FCC had done. Wonders never cease. People must have really
hammered the FCC hard on this other example of tone-deafness that they suffer
from.
Of course, this has not been approved yet. Let's hope this does not get bogged
down with more lame excuses about what constitutes "robocall," or other such
attempts to shirk their responsibilities. Let's hope it's not another example
of "say one thing, do exactly the opposite."
Bert
-------------------------------------------------
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-357464A1.pdf
Media Contact: Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@xxxxxxx
For Immediate Release FCC CHAIRMAN PROPOSES CALL BLOCKING BY DEFAULT TO HELP
COMBAT THE SCOURGE OF ROBOCALLS Expects Providers to Offer Consumers Robust,
Free Call Blocking Tools Based on Analytics & Consumer Contact Lists
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2019-Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is
proposing bold action to help consumers block unwanted robocalls. He has
circulated a declaratory ruling that, if adopted, would allow phone companies
to block unwanted calls to their customers by default. In addition, companies
could allow consumers to block calls not on their own contact list. The
accompanying draft Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would propose a safe
harbor for providers that implement network-wide blocking of calls that fail
caller authentication under the SHAKEN/STIR framework once it is implemented.
"Allowing call blocking by default could be a big benefit for consumers who are
sick and tired of robocalls. By making it clear that such call blocking is
allowed, the FCC will give voice service providers the legal certainty they
need to block unwanted calls from the outset so that consumers never have to
get them," said Chairman Pai. "And, if this decision is adopted, I strongly
encourage carriers to begin providing these services by default-for free-to
their current and future customers. I hope my colleagues will join me in
supporting this latest attack on unwanted robocalls and spoofing."
Today, many voice providers have held off developing and deploying call
blocking tools by default because of uncertainty about whether these tools are
legal under the FCC's rules. Allowing default call blocking by voice providers
could significantly increase development and consumer adoption of such tools.
This blocking could be based on analytics and consumer "white lists." Similar
analytics are currently used by third-party developers in call blocking apps.
Consumer white lists could be based on the customer's own contact list, updated
automatically as consumers add and remove contacts from their smartphones.
Chairman Pai also proposes seeking public comment on how caller ID
authentication standards, known as SHAKEN/STIR, can inform call blocking. The
Chairman has demanded that carriers adopt these standards to combat malicious
spoofing. This system of signing calls as legitimate as they pass through the
phone networks may well be useful for call blocking tools. With the
expectation that such standards will be available later this year, the Chairman
is proposing in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to create a safe harbor
for calls that are blocked because they are not authenticated under the
SHAKEN/STIR framework.
Today's action would be the first by the Commission to directly combat scam
robocalls that spoof legitimate, in-service numbers. This follows adoption of
new rules in 2017 which allowed blocking of calls before they reach consumers
when they are highly likely to be illegitimate. These calls might appear to
come from non-existent area codes or from numbers on the Do Not Originate list
that do not make outbound calls-like the FCC's own consumer help line, which
was added to the list following scam calls that spoofed the agency's
888CALL-FCC number.
These measures will be considered by the full Commission at its June 6 Open
Commission Meeting. If adopted, this ruling and any new rules would maintain
strong protections against blocking of emergency calls. In addition, consumers
would be allowed to opt-out of any blocking services they do not want.
###
Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
ASL: (844) 432-2275
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov
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