MEASURE PROVIDES GREATER PROTECTION AGAINST INTENTIONALLY FRAUDULENT CALLER ID

Washington, Apr 15, 2010 -

“Millions of Americans use caller ID to secure greater privacy for themselves and their families,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), the Republican Leader on the House Internet, Communications and Technology Subcommittee.  “Yet as new technologies continue to be developed, a deceptive practice called call ID ‘spoofing’ is a growing problem for individuals and businesses.  This spoofing occurs when a caller masquerades as someone else by falsifying the number that appears on the recipient’s caller ID display.  Currently, there is no requirement that all callers transmit accurate caller ID information.”

The House approved H.R. 1258, the Truth in Caller ID Act, which went through the House Internet, Communications and Technology Subcommittee where Stearns is the Republican Leader.  During floor consideration in the House, Stearns managed Republican debate on the bill.   Explained Stearns, “This bill will make it illegal to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller ID information while providing reasonable exemptions for law enforcement activities.  It is imperative that we enhance privacy protections as technology provides new services and devices that can be abused to undermine our privacy.”