The Federal Communications Commission yesterday announced it has created a Robocall Mitigation Database, which voice service providers will be required to use as a means of certifying their efforts at mitigating robocalls from being connected to consumers’ phones. Starting September 28, phone companies will be forced to refuse traffic from voice service providers who are not listed in the database.
Voice service providers will be required to file certifications detailing their efforts to “stem the origination of illegal robocalls” through their networks, according to the FCC. That information will need to be submitted by June 30.
“Protecting consumers from scammers that use robocall and spoofing tools is a top priority,” said Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC’s Acting Chairwoman, in a statement. “To succeed, we not only need an all-hands-on-deck response from government, but we need industry commitment and focus. Our message to providers is clear: certify under penalty of perjury the steps you are taking to stop illegal robocalls, or we will block your calls.”
The Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act required the FCC to adopt rules for voice service providers to implement the STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework, but some carriers were granted extensions. The carriers for which extensions were granted were required to implement robocall mitigation programs to combat illegal robocalls being made through their networks. This new database is meant to house the details of those programs.
A carrier’s robocall mitigation program will be deemed to be sufficient if the practices can “reasonable be expected to significantly reduce the original of illegal robocalls.” Likewise, if a carrier “knowingly or through negligence serves as the originator for unlawful robocall campaigns,” the program will be deemed to be insufficient.
