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This week’s FCC update comes from The Docket Digest, an email subscription service that’s currently in private beta. It is an AI-generated, human-curated update for all messaging-related topics at the FCC. If you’d like an invite, drop me a line. From the latest issue of the Digest:
TLDR:
Representatives from AT&T Services, Inc. met with FCC officials to discuss their extensive measures in fighting spam and scam text messages, emphasizing the effectiveness of existing initiatives and advocating for informed regulatory approaches.
Summary:
On August 14, 2024, representatives from AT&T Services, Inc. met with members of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to discuss the current state of the messaging ecosystem and AT&T’s efforts to combat spam and scam text messages. AT&T highlighted their significant investment in innovative technologies, reporting the blockage of 9.5 billion spam messages in 2023. They introduced the AT&T ActiveArmorSM app, a free multi-layered defense tool combining machine learning and human oversight.
AT&T shared data indicating a decline in both spam texts and customer complaints, though political messaging remains a significant complaint source. The company collaborates with federal and state authorities to enhance consumer protection and has expressed concerns over the accuracy of data used by the FCC, specifically calling out the methodology of third-party tools like Robokiller.
They anticipate a reduction in SMS/MMS usage with the rollout of Rich Communications Service (RCS) and argue for a broader regulatory scope to address consumer vulnerabilities across multiple platforms. AT&T supports the 10DLC system requiring message senders to register through The Campaign Registry (TCR) for accountability and transparency. They conveyed their commitment to ongoing collaboration with the FCC to refine strategies for combating spam and scam texts.
Overall, AT&T stressed the importance of accurate data for regulatory decisions and the need for a holistic approach to combat illegal text messages without over-regulating older technologies.