New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)
No
Regular
Approved without change
02/12/2024
01/03/2024
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2027
36 Months From Approved
34,716
0
0
34,716
0
0
0
0
0
The Federal Communications Commission seeks to establish a new information collection associated with Targeting and Eliminating Unlawful Text Messages, Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, CG Docket No. 21-402, CG Docket No. 02-278, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 23-21, (rel. Mar. 17, 2023) (Text Blocking Report and Order).
Text message-based scams can include links to well-designed phishing websites that appear identical to the website of a legitimate company and can fool a victim into providing personal or financial information. Texted links can also load unwanted software onto a device, including malware that steals passwords, credentials, or other personal information. The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) is therefore, for the first time, requiring all mobile wireless providers to block certain text messages that are highly likely to be illegal, so that all subscribers have a basic level of protection.
In the Text Blocking Report and Order, adopted on March 16, 2023 and released on March 17, 2023, the Commission is requiring mobile wireless providers to block certain text messages that are highly likely to be illegal. The Commission is requiring mobile wireless providers to blockâat the network levelâtexts purporting to be from North American Numbering Plan (NANP) numbers on a reasonable Do-Not-Originate (DNO) list, which include numbers that purport to be from invalid, unallocated, or unused numbers, and NANP numbers for which the subscriber to the number has requested that texts purporting to originate from that number be blocked.
Currently, the Commission requires gateway providers to block voice calls purporting to originate on a reasonable DNO list, under section 47 CFR § 64.1200(o) of the Commissionâs rules, but this is the first time that the Commission has required mobile wireless providers to block texts.
The Commission is also ensuring that any erroneous blocking can be quickly remedied by requiring mobile wireless providers and other entities to maintain a point of contact for texters to report erroneously blocked texts.
As this is a new information collection, there are program changes which will be added to OMBâs inventory once approved as follows: 2,893 to the number of respondents, 34,716 to the number of annual responses, and 34,716 to the annual burden hours.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.