Technology, Communications & Media

Read about the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, consensus robocall legislation that passed in the House of Representative by a vote of 417-3.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates wireless medical devices in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with the FCC’s role related to certain technical concerns such as the successful sharing of wireless frequency bands. Another area that FCC regulates is radio frequency (RF) safety – the possible harmful effects to human health from RF energy created by wireless devices. The FCC looks to health and safety agencies such as the FDA, EPA, and OSHA, to provide guidance and recommendations on what level of RF emissions are deemed “safe,” and then sets rules for how responsible parties must evaluate compliance with these limits. These rules on safe emission levels apply generally to devices that produce RF signals. The FCC proposed modifications to its RF safety rules in 2013, and finally on December 4, 2019, issued a decision that adopts many of its proposals.

This alert highlights key takeaways from the FCC’s recent update to its RF safety rules as well as additional measures for which the agency is seeking comment.

We are pleased to present the latest edition of our Monthly TCPA Digest, providing insights and news related to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This month, in our Class Action Update, we look at how, or if, the Ninth Circuit’s 2018 Marks ruling — considered groundbreaking because it appeared to expand the definition of what constitutes an Automatic Telephone Dialing System (ATDS) — has influenced Ninth Circuit decisions in recent TCPA cases.

We are pleased to present the latest edition of our Monthly TCPA Digest, providing insights and news related to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This month, in addition to covering the FCC’s continuing work to review comments submitted on past petitions and discussions with stakeholders regarding ongoing TCPA proceedings, we report on a new Petition for Declaratory Ruling, filed by Capital One, which asks if the company may use a confirmation text to clarify the scope of a recipient’s opt-out request. The FCC’s response to this question will interest many businesses that use text messages to reach out to their customers.

Mintz’s November TCPA Digest covers Capital One’s Petition for Declaratory Ruling as well as the influence of the Ninth Circuit’s Marks ruling on recent TCPA decisions.

Telecommunication service providers should take adequate precautions to avoid enforcement actions from the CPUC or the AG. By implementing STIR and SHAKEN technologies by January 1, 2021, service providers can avoid liability under the Act.

FCC Releases Public Notice on Soundboard Technology and List of Recommendations on Robocall Blocking

This month’s newsletter from Mintz’s TCPA & Consumer Calling Practice delivers insight on California’s Consumer Call Protection Act and TCPA-related activity at the FCC.

FCC Reviews Reply Comments on Opt-Out Call-Blacking, Attorneys General and Carriers Join Forces to Fight Robocalls

The Eleventh Circuit Departs from the Ninth Circuit in Holding That the Receipt of One Text Message Does Not Convey Article III Standing

This issue covers recent TCPA-related activity at the FCC, a new partnership between attorneys general and major phone carriers, and the 11th Circuit’s Salcedo decision.

The FCC unanimously adopted revised anti-spoofing rules, implementing part of the RAY BAUM’s Act, at its August meeting. The Second Report and Order extends the FCC’s Truth in Caller ID rules to encompass malicious spoofing activities originating outside the U.S. that are directed at consumers within the U.S. It also expands the scope of communications covered by the Truth in Caller ID rules beyond telecommunications services and interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services to include text messaging and alternative voice services, such as one-way VoIP services.

Eleventh Circuit Confirms the FCC’s Solicited Fax Rule is Dead and Reverses Course on Interpretation of the Hobbs Act in TCPA Appeal

This TCPA Digest reviews FCC anti-spoofing rules covering spoofing outside the U.S. directed at US consumers and an 11th Circuit decision that the FCC's solicited fax rule is invalid.

As part of its strategy to make additional mid-band spectrum available for Fifth Generation (“5G”) wireless services, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) recently adopted a Report and Order that revises its rules for the 2.5 GHz band – the largest contiguous band of spectrum below 3 gigahertz – in a manner that will pave the way for the Commission to auction the spectrum for commercial use next year. 

$100 million in Federal funds may soon become available to help healthcare providers cover the costs of broadband and connected care services. Earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on a proposal, on which it will seek public comment, for a new “Connected Care Pilot Program,” and the comment period on that proposal has now begun. The proposed program would direct money to telehealth initiatives, especially for medically underserved populations like low-income families and veterans. The money would come from the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is an existing fund of fees paid by telecommunications service providers currently used for a variety of purposes.