Lawmakers Urge FCC to Fight Robocalls With Phone Number Database

July 20, 2018

The Federal Communications Commission should create a database of reassigned phone numbers to help reduce unsolicited robocalls and robotexts, two senators urged agency Chairman Ajit Pai.

The database of reassigned phone numbers could help businesses avoid unwittingly calling or texting consumers without consent, Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Markey wrote in a July 19 letter to Pai.

Companies sometimes inadvertently autodial or robotext consumers without their permission because the previous holder of the number gave consent. Unsolicited robocalls can open businesses up to litigation...