We wish to inform you about a recent enforcement action taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that may impact your operations as a U.S.-based voice service provider. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has issued a Public Notice regarding significant, apparently unlawful robocalls originating from or transmitted by Lingo Telecom, LLC (Lingo). Concurrently, the Enforcement Bureau sent Lingo a Cease & Desist letter.
Key Points from the FCC Public Notice:
- Cease-and-Desist Notification: Lingo has been identified as apparently originating unlawful spoofed robocalls with deepfake prerecorded messages mimicking U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Lingo is required to investigate and mitigate the illegal traffic as specified in a cease-and-desist letter from the FCC.
- Mitigation Requirement: Lingo must effectively mitigate the identified illegal traffic and substantially similar traffic within 48 hours from the date of the Public Notice. Failure to do so authorizes U.S.-based voice service providers to block voice calls or cease accepting traffic from Lingo without liability under the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules.
- Reporting Obligations: Lingo is obligated to report the results of its investigation to the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau within 14 days of receiving the cease-and-desist letter.
- Potential for Broad Call Blocking: If Lingo does not comply with the FCC’s directives, downstream providers may be required to block all traffic from Lingo. This action can be taken if Lingo fails to mitigate the illegal traffic within 48 hours or does not implement effective measures to prevent the use of its network for originating illegal calls within 14 days.
Advisory for Our Clients:
- Review Your Interactions with Lingo: We advise all U.S.-based voice service providers to review any current or planned interactions with Lingo. Assess the potential impact of the FCC’s Public Notice on your services and operations.
- Prepare for Possible Blocking Actions: If you currently accept traffic from Lingo, prepare to implement call blocking measures should Lingo fail to meet the FCC’s mitigation requirements. Ensure that your actions comply with the notification procedures outlined by the FCC.
- Stay Informed on Compliance: Monitor updates from the FCC regarding this matter to ensure your operations remain compliant with regulatory requirements and enforcement actions.
- Legal and Regulatory Support: Our firm is available to assist with interpreting the FCC’s Public Notice, implementing required actions, and ensuring that your response aligns with regulatory expectations. We can also help with drafting the necessary notifications to the FCC if you decide to block calls or cease accepting traffic from Lingo.
This situation underscores the importance of vigilance and compliance with FCC regulations to prevent the misuse of telecommunications networks for illegal activities. We are here to provide guidance and support as you navigate these requirements.
Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our Robocall Mitigation Response Team is standing by to offer insights and guidance.
CONTACT US NOW, WE ARE STANDING BY TO GUIDE YOUR COMPANY’S COMPLIANCE EFFORTS
Michael Donahue — Tel: 703-714-1319 / E-mail: mpd@CommLawGroup.com
Rob Jackson – Tel: 703-714-1316 / E-mail: rhj@CommLawGroup.com
Ronald E. Quirk – Tel: 703-714-1305 / E-mail: req@CommLawGroup.com
Diana Bikbaeva – Tel: 703-663-6757 / E-mail: dab@CommLawGroup.com
