Use consistent definitions of robocalls, being sure to differentiate between unwanted calls and illegal calls, the Consumer Advisory Committee recommended Thursday to FCC staff preparing a report on availability, adoption and effectiveness of call blocking tools. The unanimously approved Robocall Report Working Group recommendations said the report should discuss the status of enforcement against illegal robocallers, acknowledge that tools are new and consumers mightn't be aware of the tools available, collect data from analytic engines, third-party app and call-blocking providers and others, and be transparent about sources of data. Commissioners adopted a declaratory ruling in June allowing carriers to block unwanted robocalls by default. The ruling required the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, working with other bureaus, to collect information from carriers on the deployment and implementation of call blocking (see 1906060056). The first report is due in June, the second June 2021. Tuesday’s CAC vote was followed by a closed session on truth in billing.
Use consistent definitions of robocalls, being sure to differentiate between unwanted calls and illegal calls, the Consumer Advisory Committee recommended Thursday to FCC staff preparing a report on availability, adoption and effectiveness of call blocking tools. The unanimously approved Robocall Report Working Group recommendations said the report should discuss the status of enforcement against illegal robocallers, acknowledge that tools are new and consumers mightn't be aware of the tools available, collect data from analytic engines, third-party app and call-blocking providers and others, and be transparent about sources of data. Commissioners adopted a declaratory ruling in June allowing carriers to block unwanted robocalls by default. The ruling required the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, working with other bureaus, to collect information from carriers on the deployment and implementation of call blocking (see 1906060056). The first report is due in June, the second June 2021. Tuesday’s CAC vote was followed by a closed session on truth in billing.
As voice providers implement signature-based handling of asserted information using tokens/secure telephony identity revisited (Shaken/Stir) to combat robocalls, they should maintain customer service and other resources to help consumers and call originators on call labeling. That's among recommendations the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee unanimously approved Wednesday without discussion. The Caller ID Authentication Working Group also recommended the commission do studies with stakeholders, including industry and consumer groups, on what factors providers should consider in displaying caller ID information to consumers; collaborate with stakeholders to educate consumers “about how caller ID services, consumer display practices, and other measures can respond to evolving illegal and unwanted robocaller tactics”; continue evaluating how to encourage voice service providers to continue “innovating and improving caller ID services”; and develop webpages and educational campaigns using simple language for implementation. It recommended voice providers “clearly and proactively” inform consumers about caller ID services they offer. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly warned CAC about “unintended consequences” of government intervention. “Many robocalls are beneficial to the public,” he said in a recorded video. "No one should want to block” robocalls from doctors, pharmacies or schools, O’Rielly said. Chairman Ajit Pai still expects major voice providers to implement Shaken/Stir by year-end. “If they don’t, we will be taking action,” he said. He again noted “no silver bullet” exists to prevent all robocalls and “we have to take a multipronged and multistakeholder approach” (see 1907110023). The WG spent time gathering information, including researching reports of robocalls and hearing presentations from AARP, AT&T, CenturyLink, ATIS' Secure Telephone Identity Governance Authority, T-Mobile and TNS, said Michael Santorelli, the group’s co-chair, who's deemed a special government employee. The CAC meeting also featured bureau updates, including on 5G, consumer-related legislation and precision agriculture. Kristi Thompson, Enforcement Bureau Telecom Consumers Division chief, gave an update on consumer scams and “scumbag telemarketing.” Combating fraud "is not only a good idea, but it is a necessity,” she said. “If consumers no longer value their telephone voice services … that’s an existential threat to the service providers.” Noting “we tackled the cramming problems” of unapproved charges on consumer phone bills, “now a trickle of what they were,” she said there's room for hope in fighting scams: “We can succeed again.”
As voice providers implement signature-based handling of asserted information using tokens/secure telephony identity revisited (Shaken/Stir) to combat robocalls, they should maintain customer service and other resources to help consumers and call originators on call labeling. That's among recommendations the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee unanimously approved Wednesday without discussion. The Caller ID Authentication Working Group also recommended the commission do studies with stakeholders, including industry and consumer groups, on what factors providers should consider in displaying caller ID information to consumers; collaborate with stakeholders to educate consumers “about how caller ID services, consumer display practices, and other measures can respond to evolving illegal and unwanted robocaller tactics”; continue evaluating how to encourage voice service providers to continue “innovating and improving caller ID services”; and develop webpages and educational campaigns using simple language for implementation. It recommended voice providers “clearly and proactively” inform consumers about caller ID services they offer. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly warned CAC about “unintended consequences” of government intervention. “Many robocalls are beneficial to the public,” he said in a recorded video. "No one should want to block” robocalls from doctors, pharmacies or schools, O’Rielly said. Chairman Ajit Pai still expects major voice providers to implement Shaken/Stir by year-end. “If they don’t, we will be taking action,” he said. He again noted “no silver bullet” exists to prevent all robocalls and “we have to take a multipronged and multistakeholder approach” (see 1907110023). The WG spent time gathering information, including researching reports of robocalls and hearing presentations from AARP, AT&T, CenturyLink, ATIS' Secure Telephone Identity Governance Authority, T-Mobile and TNS, said Michael Santorelli, the group’s co-chair, who's deemed a special government employee. The CAC meeting also featured bureau updates, including on 5G, consumer-related legislation and precision agriculture. Kristi Thompson, Enforcement Bureau Telecom Consumers Division chief, gave an update on consumer scams and “scumbag telemarketing.” Combating fraud "is not only a good idea, but it is a necessity,” she said. “If consumers no longer value their telephone voice services … that’s an existential threat to the service providers.” Noting “we tackled the cramming problems” of unapproved charges on consumer phone bills, “now a trickle of what they were,” she said there's room for hope in fighting scams: “We can succeed again.”
Fighting digital disinformation and its potential to affect the 2020 elections requires lawmakers, academia, think tanks, the public, civic society and digital platforms, said speakers Tuesday. They noted tensions between battling disinformation and jeopardizing free speech. The Federal Election Commission organized the event with PEN America and the Global Digital Policy Incubator at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center.
Fighting digital disinformation and its potential to affect the 2020 elections requires lawmakers, academia, think tanks, the public, civic society and digital platforms, said speakers Tuesday. They noted tensions between battling disinformation and jeopardizing free speech. The Federal Election Commission organized the event with PEN America and the Global Digital Policy Incubator at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center.
Broaden the definition of healthcare providers, allow funding for remote monitoring and medical body area network devices (MBAN), and make the program available in a wide geographic area. Those are among recommendations for the FCC pilot USF pilot to support connected care for the poor and veterans. Comments posted through Friday docket 18-213 for the three-year, $100 million program (see 1907100073).
Broaden the definition of healthcare providers, allow funding for remote monitoring and medical body area network devices (MBAN), and make the program available in a wide geographic area. Those are among recommendations for the FCC pilot USF pilot to support connected care for the poor and veterans. Comments posted through Friday docket 18-213 for the three-year, $100 million program (see 1907100073).
Don’t cap the overall budget for the various USF programs or alter the USF funding mechanism, asked many replies, worried about prioritizing funds over one another. At least one reply favored halting the fund’s growth at 2018 levels. Replies posted through Tuesday in FCC docket 06-122.
Don’t cap the overall budget for the various USF programs or alter the USF funding mechanism, asked many replies, worried about prioritizing funds over one another. At least one reply favored halting the fund’s growth at 2018 levels. Replies posted through Tuesday in FCC docket 06-122.