FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
ept~mh~r 21. 2012
,JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Iionorable Steve Israel
U.S. I louse of Representatives
2457 Rayburn I louse Office Building
Washington. D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Israel:
Thank }ou lor Jour leller regarding pass"ord-prot~eted\oic~mail lor l1lobik phon~s. I
appreciate your bringing this mall~r to m)' all~ntion and have directed the Acting Chie!' 01' Staff
of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to respond. I am pleased to provide the
enclosed leller addressing your concerns.
Ir you havc any additional qu~stionsor l1e~d an) I'urther assistancc. please do not h~sitatc
to contad me.
Sil . y.
Julius Genachl1'\ski
Enclosure
445 12TH STREETS.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 .202-418-1000
Federal Communications Commission
Conswner & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Washington, D.C. 20554
Septcmber 21. 2012
Control No. 1200685
The Honorable Steve Israel
U.S. House of Representatives
2457 Rayburn House
Wa hington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Israel:
Thank you for your June 4, 2012, letter urging the Commission to work with
wireless carriers to make password-protected voice mail an industry standard for mobile
phones. We appreciate your views and agree that tlus issue raises important privacy
considerations for wireless consumers.
The protection of consumer privacy is a fundamental goal of the Commission. As
Chainnan Genachowski has confinned, the use of passwords to access voice mail
enhances privacy protections to consumers. Many wireless providers have made such
passwords mandatory. We fully support and encourage this practice. We recognize,
however, that not every wireless carrier follows this standard. In these instances, we
share your concern that wireless carriers clearly and conspicuously infonn consumers
about the risks surrounding voice mail security and the steps they need to take to protect
their privacy interests. I can assure you that your letter will be given full consideration
by the relevant Bureaus and offices at the Commission in the interest of ensuring that the
privacy interests of consumers are protected.
We appreciate your interest in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if
I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
)~~!C~{i::----I
Acting Chief of Staff
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau