The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is giving law enforcement authorities access to certain blocked caller ID information, the agency announced Tuesday.
The move is in response to ever-growing concerns over threatening phone calls directed at religious centers, and schools, among other organizations, according to the federal agency. Due to FCC policy, certain telecommunication companies are not allowed to disclose the personal information of a caller who intended for the call to be blocked.
The agency is providing an exemption so law enforcement and the imperiled organizations don’t have to receive a waiver to identify the culprits, as granting permission on a case-by-case basis is typical protocol.
“The FCC continues to take seriously the privacy of law-abiding consumers,” according to an FCC press release Tuesday. “The Commission limited access to blocked caller ID information to law enforcement personnel and others responsible for the safety and security of the threatened party. The Commission also provided an exemption for non-public emergency services, such as private ambulance services, to obtain blocked Caller ID information of callers requesting their assistance.” (RELATED: FCC Slaps Robocaller With $82 Million Fine)
The statements from the respective FCC commissioners were not released in time of publication.
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