US and UK Governments Join Forces to Fight the Menace of Robocalls

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Information Commissioner’s Office of the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on enforcement matters related to unlawful robocalls and robotexts as well as efforts to protect consumers’ privacy and sensitive data.

The MoU was signed by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and UK Information Commissioner John Edwards. Given the cross-border nature of many issues, this strategic partnership will enhance the FCC and ICO's ability to fulfill their missions with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The MoU signifies the need for a global collaboration among international partners to safeguard consumer privacy and sensitive data.

With consumers sharing extensive personal information with telecommunications carriers, who transmit and store this data across intricate networks spanning beyond national borders, joint efforts become imperative, the FCC says. 

“In a world where personal information is more valuable than ever before, protecting people’s privacy is critical. This is a global issue and I’m pleased that this MoU will allow for greater collaboration between the ICO and FCC, as both of our organizations continue efforts to safeguard people from harms caused by the misuse of their data,” ​​says UK Information Commissioner Edwards.

The two departments also want to further advance an international approach to combating unsolicited commercial electronic messaging and telemarketing, scam telephone calls and short message service, unlawful automated or pre-recorded voice message telephone calls and text messages, and the unlawful use of inaccurate caller identification, and the threats that they pose to consumers and their confidence in critical commercial applications using the communications network, the FCC adds.