FCC Proposes Mandatory Identity Checks for Phone Users in Robocall Crackdown

The US Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would impose mandatory "Know Your Customer" requirements on voice service providers. Approved by Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioners Gomez and Trusty, the proposal seeks to combat illegal robocalls and spoofed numbers by requiring carriers to verify customer identities before enabling service. The verification process would include collecting names, addresses, government identification, and alternate phone numbers.

The regulator argues that illegal calls erode trust in the telecommunications system and cause significant financial and security losses for Americans. However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism for creating what opponents describe as a surveillance regime that erodes privacy and denies the ability to communicate anonymously. The FCC is seeking public comments on the proposal until June 25, 2026, with reply comments due July 27, 2026.

Under the proposed rules, carriers would be required to consult lists of terrorists, terrorist organisations, and criminal persons maintained by law enforcement entities. The FCC is also considering risk-based variations for prepaid versus postpaid plans, including whether measures should be imposed for prepaid service purchased through third-party vendors. This aspect of the proposal has raised concerns about the elimination of burner phones, which are often used by domestic violence survivors, journalists, and low-income individuals who rely on pseudonymous communication for safety.

Data retention is a significant component of the proposal, with the FCC asking whether providers should retain KYC information and supporting records for four years after the customer relationship ends. The regulator is also exploring whether enhanced KYC rules could assist law enforcement in investigating crimes beyond illegal calls, including organised crime, trafficking, espionage, and influence operations. Critics argue that long retention periods increase the risk of data breaches and misuse.

The FCC has proposed a per-call enforcement structure, with a base forfeiture of $2,500 per call for KYC violations. This penalty structure creates an incentive for providers to over-verify and over-retain data to avoid fines. Privacy advocates, including ACLU senior policy analyst Jay Stanley, warn that the rulemaking could harm vulnerable groups by removing access to anonymous communication tools. The proposal highlights the tension between regulatory enforcement and the protection of individual privacy rights in the telecommunications sector.