uFCC Now Sharing Weekly Robocall Complaint Data For Use In Building Call-Blocking Toolsr

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  The FCC has been on a bit of a crusade this year to try and curb the scourge of robocalls, one of consumers’ biggest complaints. To that end, they’re now going to share a new tool to help build weapons for that fight: consumers’ complaints.

  The FCC gathers consumer complaints about robocalls and other issues, and has for some time. The change is that they will now be making a file of the data available to the public on a weekly basis.

  The idea behind sharing the data is that businesses and individuals that develop call block-lists can import the information and block more spam and scam numbers.

  The commission ruled in June that consumers do indeed have the right to use whitelisting or do-not-disturb technologies to cut back on robocalls. There are several technologies already on the market, but most of the tools at consumers’ disposal are only effective on smartphones or VoIP landline systems, leaving millions more consumers having to put up with their “free trip to the Bahamas” or “Rachel from cardholder services” trying to reach them.

  “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, said in a written statement. “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.”

  The FTC also collects and releases similar data.

  
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by Kate Cox via Consumerist