FCC Uses "End Robocalls" Excuse to Make Telecoms Curtail Your Privacy

[TygrBright]

FCC Attempts to Solve Robocall Problem by Potentially Creating Even Bigger Privacy Problem

Among other sweeping changes, the era of the burner phone could end with the rollout of new “Know Your Customer” rules voted on by the FCC on April 30, as noted by the blog of the D.C. telecom law firm Wiley Rein. Customers would, according to the proposed rules, have to present a government ID, a physical address, a full legal name, and an existing phone number. FCC rules at this phase are not yet in force, and would not go into effect for a year after full approval. The commission is still seeking comment, and is asking to hear privacy concerns specifically.

...Indeed, easy access to phones for people in dire situations, such as refugees or people fleeing abusive relationships, is seen as a hugely pro-social use of the relative anonymity provided almost accidentally by low-cost prepaid phone service providers.

The (April 30 FCC press) release lays much of the blame at the feet of telecom providers, saying “Commission rules already require originating providers to take ‘affirmative, effective’ measures to ‘know its customers,’ and ensure that its services are not used to originate illegal call traffic.” But it claims that some are “not doing enough,” and the result is “more illegal calls that defraud Americans and making it difficult to hold the criminals making these [callers] accountable.”

Consequently, the enforcement regime these rules would put in place is intriguing. Per Wiley Rein, it would be a fine of $2,500 per call, and against an offending telecom provider—not the customer making the calls. The FCC would basically be deputizing telecom companies as ID verifiers and scrutinizers of user behavior, and they would be highly motivated to crack down on their customers heavily, because $2,500 per call in a country with billions of robocalls per year could be devastating.

This completely ignores what everyone actually knows:

Robocalls are not made by individuals using 'burner' phones. Robocalls are made by computers spoofing actual numbers and using complex routing and algorithm switching to deliver thousands of calls an hour.

The FCC isn't even trying hard to figleaf their latest assault on free speech and civil liberties.

Are burner phones problematic?

They can be, yes. They do enable crime. They enable a lot of unpleasant behaviors. But, as the article points out, the current system for cell phone number distribution allows anonymity and privacy which can be vital to protecting not just free speech, but vulnerable individuals victimized by the very criminals the FCC ostensibly wants to stop.

Now, do I think this has a tissue paper dog chasing the asbestos cat through hell's chance of becoming an actual enforcable regulation?

Of course not. The telecoms have enough money, power, and connection to keep this one from ever getting to the gate, much less making a realistic start. I know that, you know that, and you can bet our Pedo President's minion Bumf#*k Carr knows it, too. This is performance.

But it is performance with a purpose. It's telling everyone they plan to continue using the First Amendment for toilet paper, and will be recruiting co-conspirators who want to benefit from playing along. It's putting everyone who thinks privacy in communications matters on notice that there is a big fat target on their foreheads, with a little red dot in the middle.

And the media continue their performative normwashing of blatant tyranny with headlines quoting the specious justifications for oppressive actions.

Orwell only saw the tip of the iceberg.

disgustedly,
Bright

[lostnfound]

1. All of the conveniences of the digital age are being turned against We.The.People.

Lately i have flashbacks to my youth, when as a 10 year old i was free to roam my community on my bicycle, no phone and no way to contact parents. On Girl Scout camping trips, i had no contact with them for a full week. At college I MAYBE talked to mom once a week, for 5 or 10 minutes, because long distance was expensive.

I biked to the library to satisfy my curiosity. You paid cash for gas and everything else, so no one knew where you were as you went on road trips. In emergency, maybe you’d look for a pay phone.

I miss those days.

[TygrBright]

2. When we are gone, so is the human connection to the analog world.... n/t