The FCC’s Spam Call Proposal Is Just a Data Collection Scheme

The Federal Communications Commission wants telecommunications companies to collect personal identification and addresses from anyone seeking a phone number. Officially, it's about combating spam and scam calls. But according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the plan won't work and will cause serious harm. The FCC itself acknowledges that the most effective way to prevent unwanted calls is blocking them before they enter the network—not collecting consumer data. Most spam calls originate overseas anyway. And an existing technical standard called STIR SLASH SHAKEN could already reduce the problem if fully implemented. The real harm: the proposal would eliminate anonymous phone lines entirely. Domestic violence survivors, human trafficking victims, journalists needing confidential sources, activists, and homeless people rely on these as lifelines. There's also a data security risk. Telecommunications companies have a poor track record. AT&T had two massive breaches in twenty twenty-four, exposing more than one hundred million customers. Comcast suffered a similar breach in twenty twenty-three. The EFF and ACLU are urging the FCC to abandon the proposal.

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