August 29, 2019

Fifty-one attorneys general and 12 telecom companies seek to halt robocalls

On August 22, 2019, the attorneys general of all 50 states and the District of Columbia have formed a public-private coalition to help protect phone users from illegal robocalls. Members of the coalition issued a statement delineating eight anti-robocall principles that would guide their efforts to prevent robocalls.  For example:

  • Implementing call-blocking technology at the network level;
  • Making available free call labeling and blocking tools;
  • Monitoring networks for robocall traffic; and
  • Implementing technology to authenticate callers.

The companies have also undertaken to assist states’ enforcement efforts by investigating and taking action against suspicious callers, notifying law enforcement, helping authorities trace the origins of illegal robocalls, and requiring contracting telephone companies to agree to traceback identification capabilities. 

Anti-robocall principles