HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry has aligned with a bipartisan coalition comprising 46 Attorneys General to urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fortify its Robocall Mitigation Database. This initiative aims to close a significant loophole that has allowed unscrupulous entities to inundate Pennsylvanians with unwanted calls and messages.
The Robocall Mitigation Database, established by the FCC in 2021, requires voice service providers to register their information. However, the oversight and enforcement mechanisms have been insufficient, allowing unverified data submissions to go unchecked. This lack of stringent management has enabled bad actors to exploit the U.S. telephone network, bypassing accountability and continuing to harass residents with illegal communications.
Attorney General Henry emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating, “Every day, Pennsylvanians are being inundated with spam robocalls and text messages. We have made it clear that robocalls are not welcome here, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in this coalition to announce an important action in the fight against illegal, nuisance robocalls.”
The coalition has proposed several measures to enhance the database’s effectiveness. These include imposing strict deadlines for providers to update their information, conducting thorough scrutiny of submissions, and enforcing penalties for those who submit false or incomplete data. If implemented, these changes would significantly impede the ability of malicious actors to access the telephone network and target individuals.
Attorney General Henry’s involvement in this initiative is part of her broader commitment as a member of the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force. Her office remains dedicated to investigating and prosecuting entities engaged in the dissemination of illegal robocalls, reinforcing the message that such activities will not be tolerated in Pennsylvania.
The call for action from the coalition underscores the collective determination of state leaders to enhance consumer protection measures. By advocating for a more robust and accountable system, they aim to safeguard Pennsylvanians and restore trust in telecommunications. As the FCC considers these recommendations, residents eagerly await measures that promise to alleviate the ongoing robocall epidemic.
A copy of the letter is available here.
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