TRACED Act
The TRACED Act, or the "Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act," is a significant piece of legislation in the United States aimed at combating illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing.
Signed into law in December 2019, the act introduces several measures to address the growing issue of unwanted and fraudulent robocalls.
Stiffer Penalties for Violators: The act increases penalties for those who intentionally violate robocall restrictions, including a provision for fines of up to $10,000 per call.
Call Authentication: The TRACED Act mandates the implementation of STIR/SHAKEN, a technology framework designed to authenticate caller IDs and reduce the effectiveness of caller ID spoofing. This helps consumers trust that the number displayed on their caller ID is accurate.
Inter-Agency Coordination: The act requires regulatory agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other federal entities and state attorneys general, to work together to enforce the laws against robocalls.
Extended Statute of Limitations: It extends the statute of limitations for law enforcement agencies to take civil enforcement actions against robocallers.
Consumer Protection and Deterrence Measures: The act directs the FCC to enact rules that help protect consumers from receiving unwanted calls and texts and to establish deterrence measures to prevent robocalls.
The TRACED Act represents a comprehensive approach to address the issue of robocalls and caller ID spoofing, aiming to restore trust in the communication system and protect consumers from fraudulent and unwanted calls.