'Cure' for junk calls faces skeptical FCC
Article Abstract:
Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 late last year, aiming to stop 'junk calls,' but Congress did not want to appropriate money for this purpose. Congress left it to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to decide how to enforce the new law. Now, although the FCC says it will listen to all comments received by the agency before May 26, 1992, the agency doubts that much can actually be done. Congress had suggested various technological solutions to the problem. For example, Congress had suggested a national don't-call database, which would be a list of numbers that telemarketers would not be allowed to call. The FCC says this would not work because there are so many loopholes in the law and the cost of maintaining a don't-call database would not be worthwhile. Congressmen, privacy advocates and many residential customers are disappointed and upset. Telemarketers are pleased.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1992
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As phone technology swiftly advances, fears grow they'll have your number
Article Abstract:
Whether privacy should be protected by protecting phone records is a subject at issue in two ongoing controversies: one has to do with the possibility of inappropriate use of a specialty 800-number directory, published by AT&T; and the other has to do with possible misuse of information by telephone companies that own or operate information services. AT&T's 'Gifts, Catalogs and Celebrations' directory causes controversy because of the way AT&T selected the households that will receive the books: AT&T searched telephone records to find frequent callers of 800-number categories. Such a practice, some say, could lead to abuses. Direct marketers are upset too, fearing competition. The American Newspaper Publishing Association, which is lobbying to prevent phone companies from being allowed to provide information services, warns that there might be inappropriate or dangerous social consequences.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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