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A coalition of 47 state attorneys general banded together last week to ask the Federal Communications Commission to improve the vetting process for its Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD).
The letter states that the current mitigation system is improperly maintained and allows for companies to submit unvetted, incomplete, and false information into the database.
In the past year, the FCC has cracked down on bad actors using robocall tech, including forming AI disclosures for phone calls, banning AI deepfake calls, and fining the political consultant behind a robocall campaign that mimicked President Biden’s voice.
But the suggested fixes to the RMD from the attorneys general are perhaps lower tech, focusing on ensuring the entries in the database are accurate and in compliance with FCC requirements.
“The RMD can and should be more than a mere formality that bad actors glibly disregard,” the AGs wrote.
The letter detailed instances of foreign companies listing domestic mailing addresses to circumvent labels and provisions against foreign service providers. Furthermore, the AGs noted that inaccurate filings hinder their ability to properly investigate robocalls in their state.
While the AGs applauded the FCC’s commitment to combating robocalls, they asked for better enforcement of the current system, given their reliance on the tool for prosecution. Their suggestions included creating more penalties for filing violations and upping the use of data-validation tools.
“The RMD is currently one of the most important sources of information available for anti-robocall enforcement actions. Improving the accuracy of its information, holding owners and executives accountable, and providing appropriate penalties for providers that disregard the Commission’s requirements will help to ensure that the RMD continues to function as a key resource and invaluable consumer protection tool,” they wrote.