July 16, 2024
By

If there’s one thing more intolerable than the historic heat wave that’s been punishing large swaths of the country, it’s unwanted robocalls. The Commission’s August agenda will offer some relief for the latter, but not the former, which is beyond our reach. Here’s everything we have lined up for our August open meeting.

  • We’re bolstering our emergency alert system. By mobilizing the public’s attention, AMBER Alerts have contributed to the safe recovery of over 1,200 children. The Commission will vote to change our Emergency Alert System to make it easier to use TV and radio to sound the alarm about missing and endangered persons, an issue that is particularly acute in Tribal communities where thousands of native and indigenous women have disappeared.
  • We’re updating robocall and robotext defenses for the age of AI. Artificial intelligence technologies can generate automated voice calls and text messages, while also enabling tools to help filter out sophisticated spam and phishing schemes that cost Americans millions each year. We will vote to consider rules to seize the opportunities of AI regarding robocalls and robotexts, while mitigating the harms.
  • We’re strengthening a key tool for combatting robocalls. Established in 2021, the Robocall Mitigation Database helps protect consumers from unwanted robocalls by ensuring voice providers use caller ID authentication tools, while strengthening the FCC’s ability to hold providers accountable for compliance with robocall mitigation rules. Informed by the first three years of the Database, the Commission will consider procedural updates to improve the effectiveness of this consumer protection tool.
  • We will consider an adjudicatory matter from our Media Bureau.
  • We will consider an item from our Enforcement Bureau.

— Jessica


Tuesday, July 16, 2024