{"id":130081,"date":"2024-05-18T10:37:44","date_gmt":"2024-05-18T14:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/?p=130081"},"modified":"2024-05-18T10:37:44","modified_gmt":"2024-05-18T14:37:44","slug":"war-on-spam-do-new-fcc-rules-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/war-on-spam-do-new-fcc-rules-help\/","title":{"rendered":"War on SPAM: Do New FCC Rules Help?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

\"War<\/p>\r\n

In the battle against SPAM, the Federal Communications Commission<\/strong><\/a> (FCC) has made a move that may help us. Back in December 2023, the regulators published new rules<\/strong><\/a> to close loopholes used by spammers<\/strong>. FCC commissioners voted 4 to 1 in favor of these regulations, but skepticism remains. Will these changes reduce the flood of unwanted messages<\/strong> we get every day?<\/p>\r\n

These rules focus on closing lead generation-based loopholes<\/strong>. Companies are exploiting the loopholes. They use them to flood consumers with robocalls and texts without consent. Reuters predicts<\/a> the new rules may “double or triple<\/em>” the number of lawsuits against spammers. This sounds promising. But, we still need to see how well authorities will enforce these rules. Another concern is if the new rules will succeed. They aim to stop the unethical tactics used by spamming entities.<\/p>\r\n

More control over who can contact them<\/h3>\r\n

\"more<\/a>The new rules require consent from consumers on a per-seller basis. This will give consumers more control over who can contact them<\/strong>. The new rules make clear that it is no longer “business as usual.”<\/p>\r\n

Websites that compare prices and lead generators must get consumer consent to receive<\/strong> robocalls and robotexts. The consent applies to one seller at a time<\/strong>. It can’t apply to many telemarketers at once.<\/p>\r\n

But, the approach’s efficacy remains uncertain. It relies on these entities’ willingness to adhere to the regulations<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

SPAM red flags<\/h3>\r\n

\"SPAM<\/a>Furthermore, the FCC now has the authority to “red flag<\/strong>” select phone numbers. Carriers must prevent the flagged numbers from sending texts<\/strong>. The new rules also expand the federal “Do-Not-Call<\/a>” registry. It will now apply to unwanted marketing texts. It still remains unclear how this will be implemented in practice. There are so many SPAM calls and texts flooding consumers’ phones. Spotting and flagging specific numbers may be hard for the FCC.<\/p>\r\n

Colin Sholes has covered SPAM’s dubious tactics. He is cautiously optimistic about the potential impact of these rule changes. Mr. Sholes, told<\/a> Business<\/em> Insider<\/em><\/a> the FCC’s rule changes were “a long time coming.<\/em>” He predicted they’ll have a big impact. They will decrease the number of SPAM calls and texts consumers get each day. He thinks the new FCC rule put companies “out of business<\/em>” for using “slimy<\/em>” tactics.<\/p>\r\n

Politics as usual<\/h3>\r\n

\"Political<\/a>It’s worth noting that political and campaign-related messages remain exempt from regulations<\/strong>. This is a significant gap in the FCC’s approach to combating SPAM. This loophole raises questions. Can the new rules fully address the SPAM problem?<\/p>\r\n

Sholes predicts the exemption will last. It will last due to political benefits. Campaign stuff is just never going to go away. Members of Congress and their campaigns benefit from mass communication services. They carve out political exemptions in anti-SPAM laws to protect those conduits.<\/p>\r\n

They may reduce SPAM. But, Sholes also stresses the challenges from political exemptions. He also notes the growing cunning of spammers.<\/p>\r\n

SPAM continues<\/h3>\r\n

\"SPAM<\/a>Despite FCC efforts, SPAM continues to plague consumers with no end in sight. Sholes points out that the FCC’s rules only apply to groups that use robocalling and robotexting tools. Marketers are generally allowed to call or text consumers without consent. This is true as long as they manually dial the phone numbers.<\/p>\r\n

Stricter rules may lead to more lawsuits against spammers. But, it’s unclear if this will actually help consumers flooded by SPAM.<\/p>\r\n

rb-<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

In conclusion, skepticism persists about the effectiveness of new FCC rules.\u00a0 As we\u00a0 await the outcome of these regulatory changes, the battle against SPAM calls and texts wages on, leaving many wondering if true relief will ever be achieved.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

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