Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC RELEASES DATA FOR ‘DO-NOT-DISTURB’ TECHNOLOGIES  
Robocall Data to Help Call-Blocking Technologies Empower Consumers
  --
WASHINGTON, October 21, 2015 – The Federal Communications Commission announced
today the Commission will release robocall and telemarketing consumer complaint data weekly to 
help developers build and improve “do-not-disturb” technologies that allow consumers to block 
or filter unwanted calls and texts. The data, including originating phone numbers of telemarketers 
and automated robocalls, will be released and available on the FCC’s Consumer Help Center’s 
website.
“Consumers want and deserve effective tools to empower them to choose the calls and texts they 
receive.  This data will help improve do-not-disturb technologies so they can provide the best 
service for consumers,” said Alison Kutler, chief of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental 
Affairs Bureau, which manages consumer complaints. “As we encourage providers to offer these 
services, and as the Commission recently made clear that there are no legal barriers to doing so, 
we continue to look for ways to help facilitate important consumer tools.”
In June, the Commission gave the green light for do-not-disturb technology, clarifying that there 
are no legal barriers to service providers offering robocall-blocking technologies to consumers.  
While such services are available today as apps on some smartphones and on VoIP phone 
systems, work is still underway for many carriers and third-party providers to offer consumers 
these tools on traditional landline networks.
Consumer complaints to the FCC are a vital tool in the agency’s work.  In addition to their use in 
providing vital data for these robocall-blocking technologies, consumer complaints can be used to 
inform policy decisions by the Commission and can be used by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to 
track trends and enforce the rules.  Complaints about unwanted calls and texts are by far the 
largest complaint category to the agency, with over 215,000 complaints last year.
This data is similar to the data released periodically by the Federal Trade Commission.  “Do Not 
Disturb” technologies use this information to determine what numbers might be originating
unwanted calls.  Companies may use data like this to further improve their services in
determining what calls and texts a consumer might choose to block or filter (i.e. sent directly to 
voicemail).
The data is available here: http://go.usa.gov/3S7Aj
For more information on the tools available to consumers in combatting unwanted calls and texts, 
the Commission has a consumer guide available here: http://go.usa.gov/3JhU3
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Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500
TTY: (888) 835-5322
Twitter: @FCC
www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).