Media Contact: MediaRelations@fcc.gov For Immediate Release OVER 2,400 VOICE SERVICE PROVIDERS FACE REMOVAL FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE ROBOCALL MITIGATION DATABASE FILING REQUIREMENTS FCC to Also Consider Stricter Filing Requirements to Increase Awareness of Robocall Mitigation Responsibilities -- WASHINGTON, December 10, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today announced new enforcement and rulemaking actions to stop bad actors from facilitating nuisance and illegal robocalls. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau announced that 2,411 voice service providers failed to properly file in the Robocall Mitigation Database and must show cause why they should not be removed. Removal from the database means other providers will be prohibited from accepting call traffic from these providers. Also today, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed new rules to further tighten filing requirements for the Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) to better ensure widespread compliance and heightened awareness of provider responsibilities to protect consumers. All voice service providers must file certification in the Robocall Mitigation Database to demonstrate their level of STIR/SHAKEN implementation, describe their robocall mitigation plans, and provide other required information the Commission uses to monitor compliance with our rules. Participation in U.S. phone networks comes with a responsibility to actively mitigate the risk of scam traffic reaching consumers. The Robocall Mitigation Database is a critical tool used by the Commission and state and federal law enforcement to combat illegal robocalls. The proposed rules, which the Chairwoman shared today with her colleagues, continue a Commission rulemaking in which 47 Attorneys General wrote the Commission in support of strong regulatory actions to strengthen the FCC’s database rules. In addition, today, the bipartisan 51-attorney general Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force put a number of providers on notice following state investigations. These actions build on the FCC’s robocall enforcement partnerships with leaders from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel: “Providers must be active partners in the fight against unwanted and illegal robocalls. If they are not, they should not be allowed to participate in our phone networks. Full stop.” North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein: “Phone providers can’t put their profits first and turn a blind eye to the illegal robocallers they allow on our phone networks. I’m pleased that the states and the FCC are working together to confront these companies that are frustrating Americans with millions of scam calls.” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost: “Compliance isn’t optional – it’s mandatory. It’s also crucial for protecting consumers from the bad actors responsible for the flood of unwanted and illegal robocalls.” What’s New: · FCC Enforcement Order – Today’s Enforcement Bureau order demanded that 2,411 non-compliant companies show cause as to why the FCC should not remove their deficient filings from the RMD. This is the largest such action taken by the FCC, making clear the importance of providers’ obligations to mitigate unwanted robocalls to protect consumers. · FCC Proposed Rulemaking – The Report and Order circulated today would increase accountability by requiring timely updates to company information, and institute base fines of $10,000 for submitting false or inaccurate information, and $1,000 for failure to keep information current. The Report and Order would also require providers to re-certify annually to the accuracy of their submissions and adopt a $100 filing fee. In order to further improve the reliability and security of the database, the Report and Order would also direct the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau to establish a dedicated reporting mechanism for shared oversight among all stakeholders, issue additional guidance and “best practices” for filers, and establish two-factor authentication protocols for access to the database. · Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force Action – The bipartisan 51-attorney general Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force today announced it had resolved its investigations of several voice service providers that have been transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic on their networks on behalf of one or more of their customers. The Task Force issued notices to these providers informing them that the Task Force has shared the results of its investigations with the FCC. A number of the providers on notice from the Task Force are included in today’s FCC enforcement action. How We Got Here: Voice service providers must file certifications in the RMD to inform the agency of their STIR/SHAKEN implementation status and robocall mitigation efforts. All filers must describe the robocall mitigation steps they are taking to ensure they are not the source of illegal robocalls. Other voice service providers must block traffic from a provider that does not appear in the RMD. The Bigger Picture: The FCC’s Robocall Response Team serves as an FCC staff working group to combat the unyielding menace of illegal spoofed, or scam, robocalls.  · Issuing the first-ever Consumer Communications Information Services Threat (C-CIST) classification to formally name threat actors that use U.S. communications networks to perpetuate the most harmful, illegal schemes against consumers; · Blocking active robocall scam campaigns by issuing first-of-their-kind actions; o 99% drop in auto warranty scam robocalls after an FCC action; o 88% month-to-month drop in student loan scam robocalls in 2022; o Halted predatory mortgage robocalls targeting homeowners nationwide; · Fining companies record-breaking amounts for illegal robocalls and spoofing; · Closing gateways used by international robocallers to reach Americans’ phones; · Widespread implementation of STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication standards – including applying the requirements to gateway providers; · Working with industry to traceback illegal calls to their sources; · Ensuring voice service providers meet FCC robocall mitigation requirements; · Signing robocall investigation partnerships with 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and international partners; · Establishing first-of-their-kind regulations targeting scam text messaging; and · Launching the Robocall Mitigation Database to monitor STIR/SHAKEN compliance. ### Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 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).