CRTC seeks solutions to help Canadians protect themselves from unsolicited and illegitimate calls

OTTAWA AND GATINEAU, QC, July 23, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today launched a public consultation to better understand the technical solutions that are currently offered to help Canadians manage unsolicited telecommunications and illegitimate telemarketing calls. The CRTC is also exploring new and innovative solutions that could enhance consumer protections, including those that may reduce illegitimate caller identification (caller ID) spoofing.

The information gathered as part of this proceeding will serve to develop guidance for Canadians so they can better manage unsolicited telecommunications and illegitimate telemarketing calls and protect their privacy.

Canadians can participate in this consultation by sharing their views on:

• the technical solutions available to help them manage unsolicited or illegitimate calls
• barriers they may face to adopting or using these solutions, and
• new and innovative solutions that could help them manage unsolicited telecommunications and illegitimate telemarketing calls.

Comments may be submitted until October 16, 2015 by:

• filling out the online form
• writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0N2, or
• sending a fax to 819-994-0218

As an initial step in the proceeding, the Commission has requested that the telecommunications industry provide, by September 4, 2015, information on the options and features currently available to help Canadians manage unsolicited and illegitimate calls. Responses will be compiled into a consumer-friendly format and placed on the public record of the proceeding in order to assist parties in formulating their comments. 

Quick Facts

• The CRTC has launched a public consultation to better understand the technical solutions that are currently offered to help Canadians manage unsolicited telecommunications and illegitimate telemarketing calls.
• The National Do Not Call List was established in 2008 to help Canadians protect their privacy and, to date, over 12.8 million numbers have been added to the list.
• Since that time, more than 900,000 complaints of alleged violations to the Unsolicited Telecommunication Rules have been lodged by Canadians.
• It is estimated that over 40% of complaints involve an element of illegitimate Caller ID spoofing.
• Caller identification spoofing occurs when telemarketers hide or misrepresent their identity by displaying fictitious phone numbers when making calls.
• The CRTC is working with its international partners to address today's global threats related to unsolicited and illegitimate telemarketing calls.
• The CRTC is continuing to enhance its monitoring to ensure telemarketers and others who initiate unsolicited telecommunications follow the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and to reduce the number of unsolicited telecommunications and illegitimate telemarketing calls to Canadians.

Quotes

"Canadians are very frustrated with telemarketers who hide their identity or misappropriate the legitimate numbers of Canadians and businesses. A significant proportion of the complaints we receive now involve some element of illegitimate caller identification spoofing. There are tools that can help Canadians protect themselves, and there may be new and innovative solutions on the horizon. Following this consultation, we will be publishing guidance material to empower Canadians to make informed choices for themselves and their families. "

- Jean-Pierre Blais, CRTC Chairman

Related Product

• Compliance and Enforcement Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-333

Associated Links

• Telemarketing and Unwanted Calls
• Statement by the London Action Plan

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Media Relations, [phone]; General Inquiries, [phone], Toll-free 1 (877) 249-CRTC (2782), TTY [phone]