FCC to Consider New Proposed Rules on AI-Generated Robocalls in August 3 Open Meeting
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking further steps to regulate robocalls created using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. On Tuesday, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated a new proposal aimed at strengthening consumer protections against AI-generated robocalls. The text of the draft notice of proposed rulemaking has not been made public yet. According to the Press […]
AccessiBe Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Misrepresentation of ADA Compliance and AI Accessibility Capabilities
On June 24, 2024, a dermatology practice in New York City filed a class action lawsuit against AccessiBe, a web accessibility overlay provider, alleging false advertising and ineffectiveness of its AI-powered website accessibility plugin called “accessWidget.” The lawsuit claims that AccessiBe’s product fails to make websites fully compliant with ADA standards, as promised by AccessiBe, […]
Telecommunications Relay Service Provider Reaches $34.6 Million Settlement with FCC Over Unlawful Retention of Call Contents and TRS Fund Violations
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a significant settlement with an Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) provider, CaptionCall, LLC, and its parent company, Sorenson Communications, LLC. The consent decree follows an investigation into the companies’ violation of the FCC’s rules banning the retention of call content beyond the duration of a call […]
California Privacy Protection Agency Invites Public Comment on Its Proposed Data Broker Registration Rules Until August 20, 2024
The California Privacy Protection Agency (Agency) recently opened the formal public comment period on its proposed regulations for data broker registration authorized by Senate Bill (SB) 362, also known as the “Delete Act.” The Delete Act In 2023, the California Legislature passed—and Governor Newsom signed—the Delete Act, which, among other things, transferred the administration and […]
FCC Threatens to Block Traffic of Non-Responsive VSP
Today the Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau (“EB” or “Bureau”) issued an Initial Determination Order against Veriwave Telco, LLC (“Veriwave”), a voice service provider (“VSP”) that failed to comply with FCC Rule 64.1200(n) which, among other things, requires originating and gateway VSPs to, upon notice by the Bureau, investigate suspected illegal robocall traffic and block […]
Texas Federal Judge Issues the First Preliminary Injunction on FTC’s Noncompete Agreement Ban; No Nationwide Injunction Yet
A Texas federal judge has issued a limited preliminary injunction against the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on noncompete agreements. The ruling: Delays enforcement for the plaintiffs, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, until a final decision is reached by August 30, 2024. Does not apply nationwide; the September 4, 2024, effective date for the […]
Court Ruling on Amazon’s Alleged Wiretapping Violations
We would like to inform you about a recent significant ruling that could have important implications for companies using call center technologies and services provided by third-party vendors. Earlier this week, a federal judge in Washington denied Amazon’s motion to dismiss a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that the company violated California’s wiretapping law. Case […]
New Comprehensive Privacy Laws Take Effect in Oregon and Texas on July 1, 2024
July 1, 2024 marked a pivotal moment in U.S. data privacy regulation as two new comprehensive state laws came into force: Oregon’s Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA) and Texas’s Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). These laws join California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and Utah in further expanding the patchwork of privacy legislation across the nation. Application […]
Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Deference
We are writing to inform you about a significant decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that will profoundly impact how courts handle rulemaking litigation. On June 28, 2024, in a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court overturned the decades-old precedent established in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. This landmark decision, issued in the case […]
Supreme Court Ruling on Statute of Limitations for APA Claims
We would like to bring to your attention a recent significant ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that impacts the ability to challenge federal regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In a 6-3 decision in the case of Corner Post, Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (case number 22-1008), the Court ruled […]
FCC Approves New TRS Contribution Factors
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved new Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) fund contribution fee factors for the July 2024-June 2025 funding period. The fee factors detailed below will be applied to the revenue amounts reported by all Form 499 Filers in their 2024 FCC Form 499-A (reporting 2023 revenue amounts) to determine the contribution amounts soon to […]
California PUC Proposes New Service Quality and Outage Reporting Regulations with Acute Impacts on VOIP and Wireless Service Providers
We are writing to inform you about important proposed changes by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that could significantly impact the operations of VoIP and wireless service providers operating in the state. The CPUC has issued an Administrative Law Judge’s Ruling and a comprehensive Staff Proposal, outlining amendments to General Order 133-D. These changes are designed to enhance […]
FCC Proposes $367,436 Fine on Wi-Fi Equipment Supplier for Violating RF Equipment Rules: Authorized Power Limits Exceeded
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) today proposed a $367,436 forfeiture against ASUSTeK Computer Inc. and its subsidiary, Asus Computer International, for marketing Wi-Fi equipment that exceeded authorized power limits. This action underscores the FCC’s commitment to enforcing compliance with its regulations, as such violations pose risks of harmful interference and unfair market advantages. […]
FCC USF Fee Factor Increases to 34.4% from 32.8% for Q3 2024
The FCC Managing Director issued a Public Notice on June 12, 2024, announcing the proposed Universal Service Fund (“USF”) contribution factor for Q3 2024 will be 34.4%, a 1.6% increase from the Q2 2024 factor of 32.8%. Any reforms of the USF contribution system will likely take months — and potentially longer — to materialize in any […]
Supreme Court Declines Review of Telecom Subsidy System Challenge (for Now)
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a petition challenging the legality of the Universal Service Fund (USF), a fee-based telecom subsidy system managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a private administrator. The petition, submitted by Consumers’ Research and the Texas Public Policy Foundation, argued that the USF unlawfully delegates taxing […]
Growing Momentum for Expanding the Universal Service Fund Contribution Base
The momentum for updating the Universal Service Fund (USF) program by adding new revenue sources to the contribution base is steadily growing and gaining speed. Recently, the trade association representing the major broadband providers has called on Congress to expand the USF contribution base to include a variety of edge providers of content, digital advertising, and other […]
