Robocall Crackdown Could End Anonymity, FCC Signals Privacy Tradeoffs

The FCC is weighing sweeping Know Your Customer rules that would require government ID, a physical address, full legal name, and an existing phone number to obtain or renew voice service, with fines of $2,500 per illegal call charged to providers. While officials say the goal is to stop scams, critics warn the regime could erode semi-anonymous communications (burner phones) and sweep in red flags like crypto payments or nonmatching addresses, potentially harming vulnerable users; the rules are not yet in force and the commission is seeking public comment on privacy concerns.