Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Tom Carper, D-Del., urged the FCC, DOJ and IRS Friday to “aggressively” crack down on robocall scams about the COVID-19 pandemic. They wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Attorney General Bill Barr and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig: “Government and industry should always cooperate to fight illegal robocalls, but it is even more critical at a time when so many Americans are facing economic and health concerns.” The senators’ letter to Pai noted FCC recent actions, including a $225 million fine against robocall businesses Rising Eagle Capital and JSquared Telecom and their principals (see 2006090044). Only “a negligible amount of the hundreds of millions of dollars in FCC-levied fines against robocallers since 2015 have been actually been collected by” DOJ, the senators said. “This poor track record raises concerns that scammers using robocalls to deceive consumers and exploit anxiety associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency will be able to act without significant fear of reprisal, and never made to disgorge the ill-gotten proceeds.” The lawmakers sought recommendations whether further legislation is needed “to ensure that the FCC and DOJ work closer together and actually recoup fines that the FCC levies against robocallers.” They want to know whether six gateway providers the FCC and FTC contacted in April (see 2004030052) have cut traffic allowing pandemic-related scam robocalls originating outside the country into the U.S. The two agencies sent a second round of letters to the providers in May (see 2005200053). The FCC, DOJ and IRS didn’t comment.

Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Tom Carper, D-Del., urged the FCC, DOJ and IRS Friday to “aggressively” crack down on robocall scams about the COVID-19 pandemic. They wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Attorney General Bill Barr and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig: “Government and industry should always cooperate to fight illegal robocalls, but it is even more critical at a time when so many Americans are facing economic and health concerns.” The senators’ letter to Pai noted FCC recent actions, including a $225 million fine against robocall businesses Rising Eagle Capital and JSquared Telecom and their principals (see 2006090044). Only “a negligible amount of the hundreds of millions of dollars in FCC-levied fines against robocallers since 2015 have been actually been collected by” DOJ, the senators said. “This poor track record raises concerns that scammers using robocalls to deceive consumers and exploit anxiety associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency will be able to act without significant fear of reprisal, and never made to disgorge the ill-gotten proceeds.” The lawmakers sought recommendations whether further legislation is needed “to ensure that the FCC and DOJ work closer together and actually recoup fines that the FCC levies against robocallers.” They want to know whether six gateway providers the FCC and FTC contacted in April (see 2004030052) have cut traffic allowing pandemic-related scam robocalls originating outside the country into the U.S. The two agencies sent a second round of letters to the providers in May (see 2005200053). The FCC, DOJ and IRS didn’t comment.

The FCC should expedite launch of a $9 billion 5G Fund, not wait to hand out money in 2023 when better maps are available, NARUC, the Rural Wireless Association and other commenters told the FCC. T-Mobile said the NPRM puts too much emphasis on buildout commitments agreed to as part of the Sprint deal. Comments were due Thursday in docket 20-32. Commissioners approved the NPRM in April over partial dissents by Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks, concerned about delays (see 2004230046).

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told us he wants to debate encryption and Communications Decency Act Section 230 separately. But Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told us he may seek to clarify at the July 2 markup how their Earn It Act affects encryption (see 2006230006). “I’m going to wait till the markup to determine exactly what amendments are necessary, but I think the impact of the bill on encryption has been way exaggerated and distorted, so if we can clarify it, we may do it,” Blumenthal said.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told us he wants to debate encryption and Communications Decency Act Section 230 separately. But Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., told us he may seek to clarify at the July 2 markup how their Earn It Act affects encryption (see 2006230006). “I’m going to wait till the markup to determine exactly what amendments are necessary, but I think the impact of the bill on encryption has been way exaggerated and distorted, so if we can clarify it, we may do it,” Blumenthal said.

The Commerce Department will reconsider its denial of Section 232 exclusions for an importer of steel pipe, after the Court of International Trade on June 25 granted the government’s request to be allowed to reopen and add to the administrative record Commerce had previously presented the court and revisit its decision.

Revised vertical location accuracy rules, circulated by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, give carriers the option of using a handset-based rather than network based solution for finding callers. The FCC sticks with the current accuracy requirements and deadlines. Other draft items for the July 16 meeting (see 2006240058) were also posted Thursday.

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans introduced legislation Tuesday that would let police lawfully access encrypted data, ending the practice of warrant-proof encryption. Introduced by Chairman Lindsey Graham, S.C.; Tom Cotton, Ark.; and Marsha Blackburn, Tenn., the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act would require service providers and device manufacturers provide police assistance in accessing encrypted devices or necessary data. This would require a warrant “based on probable cause that a crime has occurred, authorizing law enforcement to search and seize the data,” the lawmakers said. Republicans and Democrats drew attention to the issue in December (see 1912100039). The bill would “destroy” American trust in the privacy of conversations and information, said CTA CEO Gary Shapiro: “Americans value their privacy and don’t want to see government take it away from them. That’s why we should be encouraging encryption.” The Computer & Communications Industry Association also raised concerns, saying it would leave millions of Americans vulnerable to hackers and criminals. “This would be a particularly unfortunate moment to weaken protections that keep us all safe,” said President Matt Schruers.

Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans introduced legislation Tuesday that would let police lawfully access encrypted data, ending the practice of warrant-proof encryption. Introduced by Chairman Lindsey Graham, S.C.; Tom Cotton, Ark.; and Marsha Blackburn, Tenn., the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act would require service providers and device manufacturers provide police assistance in accessing encrypted devices or necessary data. This would require a warrant “based on probable cause that a crime has occurred, authorizing law enforcement to search and seize the data,” the lawmakers said. Republicans and Democrats drew attention to the issue in December (see 1912100039). The bill would “destroy” American trust in the privacy of conversations and information, said CTA CEO Gary Shapiro: “Americans value their privacy and don’t want to see government take it away from them. That’s why we should be encouraging encryption.” The Computer & Communications Industry Association also raised concerns, saying it would leave millions of Americans vulnerable to hackers and criminals. “This would be a particularly unfortunate moment to weaken protections that keep us all safe,” said President Matt Schruers.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai laid out a busy agenda for commissioners’ July 16 meeting. It tentatively includes (see 2006240044) an order addressing supply chain security and equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE, and an update of vertical location accuracy rules for wireless calls to 911. Commissioners will also consider broadband mapping, call blocking technology and emergency calling rules. Also on the agenda is the draft order establishing 988 for a nationwide three-digit suicide hotline and giving carriers a July 2022 deadline for implementation (see 2006230022). FCC members would vote on changing the cable leased access rate formula.