Federal Communications Commission	FCC 26-27

STATEMENT OF
CHAIRMAN BRENDAN CARR
Re:	Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls; Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, CG Docket Nos. 17-59 and 02-278 (April 30, 2026)
Combatting the scourge of illegal robocalls remains the FCC’s top consumer protection priority.  And since I became Chairman, we have been tackling the problem at every point of the call path.  Today’s item focuses on improving measures originating providers take before the call. 
As we have continued to investigate the problem of illegal robocalls over the last year, it has become clear that some originating providers are not doing enough to vet their customers, allowing bad actors to infiltrate our U.S. phone networks.  Even though originating providers are subject to “know your customer” obligations where they must take “affirmative, effective” measures to know their customers, some do the bare minimum (or worse) and have become complicit in illegal robocalling schemes.
This item would close the gaps that exist in originating providers’ KYC obligations and ensures that providers cannot turn a blind eye while U.S. phone networks are exploited and Americans are defrauded.  Today’s item also bolsters our KYC enforcement by proposing per-call penalties.  By tying fines directly to the harm caused, we are also helping to incentivize better vetting by originating providers.
For their great work on this item, I want to thank Zac Champ, Wes Platt, Richard Smith, Mark Stone, Eduard Bartholme, Richard Mallen, Derek Yeo, Jessica Kinsey, Dan Stepanicich, and Chris Laughlin.