Pushing forward to combat the scourge of robocalls in 2019, the FCC has made an announcement that they will be amending the Truth in Caller ID rules to extend to communications originating outside the U.S, including text messages and voice services.
Prior to the government shutdown on January 3, 2019, the FCC released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, for the January 30, 2019 Open Meeting where they are expected to vote on issuing the notice. The notice would “implement new FCC rules and definitions designed to deter malicious caller identification spoofing. The proposed rules are intended to update current FCC Truth in Caller ID rules to reflect Congress’ recent enactment of Section 503 of the RAY BAUM’S Actthat modified section 227(e) of the Communications Act as well as to “expand and clarify the prohibition on misleading or inaccurate caller identification information,”” reported the National Law Review.
The goal of the proposed rule change if adopted, would target spoofed calls and texts “with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.”
According to the FCC the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Would do the following:
• Propose changes to the FCC’s current Truth in Caller ID rules by largely tracking the language of the RAY BAUM’S Act statutory amendments. These proposed changes include: o extending the reach of the Commission’s current Truth in Caller ID rules to include covered communications originating from outside the United States to recipients within the United States; and o expanding the scope of covered communications services to include text messages and additional voice services.
• Seek comment on new or revised definitions of the following terms for purposes of section 227(e) of the Communications Act: “text message,” “text messaging service,” “voice service,” “caller identification information,” and “caller identification service.”
• Seek comment on any other changes to the FCC’s Truth in Caller ID rules necessary to effectuate Congress’ intent in amending section 227(e).
