FCC Releasing Data to Support Robocall-Blocking Technologies

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

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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).

LINK:	http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-releasing-data-support-robocall-blocki...
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