\tUS operators could soon have more leeway to fight spam calls, as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new rules which would allow them to block such traffic by default.<\/p>\n
Many operators already offer call blocking services on an opt-in basis, but the rule would allow them to provide automatic filtering with a consumer opt-out clause.<\/p>\n
Under the proposal, such programmes would be allowed to operate \u201cbased on any reasonable analytics designed to identify unwanted calls\u201d and either block a call altogether or dispose of them in other ways, for instance by sending them straight to voicemail. It would also give the green light for so-called white list filtering, allowing operators to block calls from numbers not on a consumer\u2019s contact list.<\/p>\n
The FCC noted many operators have held off creating such tools due to questions surrounding their legality under current rules. However, Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement the move will \u201cgive voice service providers the legal certainty they need to block unwanted calls from the outset so that consumers never have to get them\u201d.<\/p>\n
While Pai called on operators to offer such call blocking services for free, the proposal contains no mandate that they do so.<\/p>\n
Despite attempts to tackle the issue [1], spam calls continue to represent a significant nuisance for US consumers. Data from caller ID service Hiya showed there were 26.3 billion robocalls made to US mobile phones in 2018.<\/p>\n
The FCC will vote on the proposal at a meeting on 6 June.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/t-mobile-comcast-take-on-robocalls\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
US operators could soon have more leeway to fight spam calls, as the Federal Communications …<\/p>\n
The post FCC moots automatic spam blocks<\/a> appeared first on Mobile World Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n