Federal Communications Commission                      FCC 07-22
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
Re:  Implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996:  Telecommunications Carriers’ Use of 
Customer Proprietary Network Information and Other Customer Information; IP-Enabled Services, 
Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CC Docket No. 96-115 and WC Docket 
No. 04-36
Pretexting has become the biggest threat to consumer security in the Information Age.  Today’s 
action further enhances the Commission’s ability to protect consumers from these advanced fraudulent 
practices by strengthening our existing rules.  Among the new requirements imposed on carriers, the 
decision prohibits carriers from releasing call detail information during customer-initiated telephone calls 
except when the customer provides a password.  It also precludes carriers from disclosing CPNI to 
independent contractors and joint venture partners without the customer’s specific consent, and requires 
carriers to notify customers of all account changes and unauthorized disclosures of CPNI.  
We must take all necessary steps to protect unauthorized disclosure of this sensitive data, keeping 
in mind that pretexters are constantly trying new techniques to defraud consumers.  In view of the 
pretexters’ malevolent intent, the Commission will vigilantly pressure carriers to take precautions to stay 
ahead of the pretexters.  However, our rules should strike a careful balance and should also guard against 
imposing over-reaching and unnecessary requirements that could cause unjustified burdens and costs on 
carriers.  In the spirit of finding that balance, the Further Notice seeks comment on possible additional 
protections against unauthorized disclosure of CPNI.  I look forward to reviewing the comments on those 
proposals.