The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a comprehensive package of reforms to strengthen its caller ID authentication and robocall enforcement framework. The FNPRM focuses on enhancing the STIR/SHAKEN regime, tightening Know-Your-Upstream-Provider (KYUP) obligations, and closing perceived gaps in existing rules that allow unlawful robocalls to continue reaching consumers. The Commission identified three principal objectives: cutting off providers that enable illegal calls, improving the reliability of STIR/SHAKEN attestations, and addressing implementation loopholes that undermine end-to-end authentication.
Specifically, the FCC proposes a litany of baseline KYUP requirements for voice services providers which include collecting, verifying, and monitoring detailed information about upstream partners and to refuse or discontinue service to providers reasonably suspected of transmitting illegal calls. It also proposes to expand oversight of the STIR/SHAKEN Governance Authority, including stronger vetting for participation in the caller ID authentication ecosystem and more aggressive enforcement, such as revocation of authentication credentials. With respect to authentication practices, the Commission proposes to further define the caller ID attestation levels and establish detailed criteria for assigning them.
The Commission also proposes to eliminate certain loopholes by clarifying provider definitions, requiring more universal participation in authentication, and restricting routing practices that strip authentication information. The Commission emphasizes that these measures are intended to improve accountability across the call path, reduce illegal robocalls, and restore consumer trust in voice networks.
