FCC will allow carriers to block suspected robocalls
In a unanimous vote, all five FCC commissioners voted to allow phone carriers to block suspected unwanted robocalls. According to YouMail, a robocall blocking app, robocallers made nearly 5 billion US calls in May. The FCC vote comes after receiving more than 232,000 complaints from frustrated customers in 2018, and criticism of its inaction by comedian John Oliver in March.
While supportive of the FCC decision, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel expressed concern that this may lead to overcharging of customers by the carriers. “I think robocall solutions should be free to consumers. Full stop," said Commissioner Rosenworcel. "I do not think that this agency should pat itself on the back for its efforts to reduce robocalls and then tell consumers to pay up.”
Links:
The FCC allows AT&T, Verizon and other carriers to block more suspected robocalls (Washington Post, Jun. 6, 2019)
Robocalls: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (Youtube, Mar. 10, 2019)
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