Cybersecurity Policy Report, Know-Your-Customer Proposal Could Reduce Robocalls, FCC Says, (May 1, 2026)

By Lynn Stanton

The FCC yesterday unanimously voted to seek input on proposals aimed at strengthening guard rails against illegal and scam robocalls by enhancing the agency’s “know-your-customer” (KYC) requirements, with the aim of keeping such traffic from entering communications networks.

The further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) in CG dockets 17-59 and 02-278 seeks comment on requiring providers to obtain identification information from new and renewing customers, including name, physical address, government-issued ID number, and an alternate telephone number, Wes Platt, chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau’s Consumer Policy Division, explained during a presentation of the item at the Commission meeting.

The FNPRM would also seek comment on “requiring providers to take specific steps to verify, retain, and reverify customer information,” Mr. Platt said. “For customers seeking high-volume calling services, we ask whether providers must review additional documentation such as corporate records, proof of good standing, third-party address records, and evidence of commercial presence,” he added.

The FNPRM proposes codifying a base forfeiture amount for violations of the KYC rule on a per-call basis “to assure penalties assessed better match the harm caused by any one caller,” Mr. Platt said.

Finally, he said, the FNRPM would seek comment on whether KYC requirements “can deter criminal misuse of communications network and enhance national security by preventing bad actors from using legal calls for denial of service attacks on government officials and sensitive infrastructure including emergency services.”

Commissioner Anna Gomez said, “I’ve said this before and it unfortunately remains true—unwanted robocalls are the main consumer complaint we receive. Even though the horrors of robocalls persist, we keep trying to find ways to end them.

“Today, we ask broad questions about how to improve the Know Your Customer Rule, which requires carriers to get to know their customers in an effort to prevent bad actors from abusing their network to inflict unwanted robocalls on consumers. I look forward seeing the record develop and hearing from stakeholders about how to improve this important rule,” she added.

Commissioner Olivia Trusty said, “Protecting consumers from scams is essential to safeguarding the communications networks that underpin our economic vitality and national security. Robust ‘know your customer’ practices are a critical component of that effort.

“At their most effective, these measures can prevent bad actors from accessing communications networks in the first place. They also can equip law enforcement with the information needed to identify and pursue those scammers and other criminals who do manage to gain access,” Commissioner Trusty added.

“Although the FCC has maintained ‘know your customer’ requirements for several years, experience suggests that further refinement may be warranted. Provider flexibility remains important as well, however greater clarity regarding the scope and application of these obligations could better serve both consumers and providers,” she continued.

“As we evaluate the record in this proceeding, I look forward to considering how enhanced know your customer requirements fit together with tools such as improved caller ID authentication to more effectively combat illegal calls. Consumers deserve nothing less,” Commissioner Trusty said.

Chairman Brendan Carr said, “As we have continued to investigate the problem of illegal robocalls over the last year, it has become clear that some originating providers are not doing enough to vet their customers, allowing bad actors to get onto the U.S. phone networks. Even though originating providers are subject to ‘know your customer’ obligations where they’re supposed to take ‘affirmative, effective’ measures to know their customers, some do the bare minimum (or worse) and have become complicit in illegal robocalling schemes.”

He added, “This item would close the gaps that exist in originating providers’ KYC obligations and ensures that providers cannot turn a blind eye while U.S. phone networks are exploited and Americans are defrauded. Today’s item also bolsters our KYC enforcement by proposing per-call penalties. By tying fines directly to the harm caused, we are also helping to incentivize better vetting by originating providers.”

News: FederalLegislation DataPrivacy