Foreign Robocall Elimination Act
Summary
The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act aims to combat unlawful robocalls originating from outside the United States. It directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish an interagency task force to develop recommendations for federal agencies and Congress. The act also includes provisions for robocall mitigation databases and immunity for sharing trace back information.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased scrutiny and regulation of international calls, potentially reducing the number of unlawful robocalls received by Americans. It could also foster greater collaboration between US and foreign entities in combating robocall schemes. The establishment of a task force and the implementation of new rules may also impose compliance costs on voice service providers.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced number of fraudulent and annoying robocalls from foreign sources.
- Enhanced collaboration between federal agencies and private sector entities to combat robocalls.
- Improved methods for tracing and identifying the origin of unlawful robocalls.
- Increased accountability for voice service providers that facilitate robocalls.
- Potential for increased international cooperation in combating robocall schemes.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased compliance costs for voice service providers, which may be passed on to consumers.
- Risk of overregulation that could stifle legitimate international communications.
- The effectiveness of the task force will depend on the cooperation of foreign governments and entities, which may be limited.
- The bond requirement for providers may disproportionately affect smaller businesses.
- The act may not completely eliminate robocalls, as perpetrators may find new ways to circumvent regulations.
Constitutional Alignment
The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. By addressing robocalls originating from outside the US, the act seeks to regulate a form of communication that crosses state and national borders. The First Amendment implications related to freedom of speech are minimal, as the act targets unlawful robocalls, which are not considered protected speech.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).