FCC Will Blacklist Phone Service Providers For Allowing Robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission will remove seven voice-over IP providers out of its list of trusted carriers for failing to apply safeguards against robocalls.

The FCC implemented ID verification protocols known as “STIR/SHAKEN” last summer, and compiled a Robocall Mitigation Database of certified voice providers, as part the 2019 Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act. The regulation requires that companies in the database certify they are following the FCC’s robocall mitigation practices.”

— “‘Fines alone aren’t enough:’ FCC threatens to blacklist voice providers for flouting robocall rules,” Tonya Riley, CyberScoop [links added]

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Feds Fine Fraudsters for Making a Billion Robocalls

“The U.S. communications regulator on Tuesday proposed a $225 million fine, its largest ever, against two health insurance telemarketers for spamming people with 1 billion robocalls using fake phone numbers.

The Federal Communications Commission said John Spiller and Jakob Mears made the calls through two businesses. State attorneys general of Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas also sued the two men and their companies, Rising Eagle and JSquared Telecom, in federal court in Texas, where both men live, for violating the federal law governing telemarketing, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.”

— “Feds seek $225M fine for pair who made a billion robocalls,” By Tali Arbel, Associated Press

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Congress Passes Another Anti-Robocall Bill.

“The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, or the TRACED Act, empowers the federal government with new abilities to go after illegal robocallers. Once TRACED is enacted, the Federal Communications Commission could fine robocallers up to $10,000 per call. It also would require major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to deploy a new technology called STIR/SHAKEN into their networks, which will make it easier for consumers to know if they’re receiving a call from a spoofed number.”

— “Robocall fines rise to $10,000 per call under newly passed law,” Makena Kelly, The Verge

More:

“Senate passes anti-robocalls bill; Trump expected to sign,” Tali Arbel, Associated Press

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Can the Feds Hear Your Phone Calls?

Did the government eavesdrop on Associated Press reporters? No. G-men subpoenaed the records of phone calls, the numbers of calls to and from AP reporters. Unsavory, but entirely legal. 

But is the Federal government capable of recording and listening to all your phone calls, or are we talking through our tinfoil hat? It’s your call:

“Are all telephone calls recorded and accessible to the US government?” Glenn Greenwald, The Guardian

“Is the U.S. Government Recording and Saving All Domestic Telephone Calls?” Bruce Schneier, Schneier on Security

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No More Robocalls

The Federal Trade Commission offered a $50,000 prize for techniques to block robocalls. What? Only $50,000? That deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Committee members have their work cut out for them, though — there were three winners.

Here’s one of them:

Google Rolls Out a New Product

Millions of people use their smartphones to access information, and software developers have been optimizing websites for mobile devices. Google has a new initiative to reach those neglected by these efforts, rotary phone users. Google is asking developers: “Ready to Go Ro?” The new rotarization tool set was introduced today, April 1st.

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Berlusconi Vowed to Leave Italy

The good news: Silvio Berlusconi vowed to leave Italy.

The bad news: He didn’t say when.

Prime Minister Berlusconi made the statement in a phone conversation to his pimps, who were also blackmailing him. While his language was rather coarse, Mr. B. is no Rod Blagojevich.

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I’ve Got to Take This Call

13% of Americans fake cell phone calls to avoid awkward social situations, according to the Pew Research Center.  The study — oh wait, here’s a call, gotta go …

“13% fake talking on cell to avoid speaking with people,” CBS News

“Americans and Their Cell Phones,” Aaron Smith, Pew Internet & American Life Project

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