CRTC signs agreement with U.S. regulator to combat robocalls and spoofing

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) today signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

This formal agreement will allow both organizations to work more collaboratively on the growing threat that unwanted robocalls (also known as automated dialing-announcing device calls) pose to citizens in Canada and the United States.

Furthermore, this agreement will enable the CRTC and the FCC to facilitate research and education related to robocalls and illegitimate caller ID spoofing. The organizations have also committed to sharing knowledge and expertise through training programs and staff exchanges, as well as inform each other of legal developments in their respective jurisdictions.

Quick Facts

• The agreement was signed by Steven Harroun, the CRTC's Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer, and Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau.
• The agreement further solidifies the CRTC and FCC's commitment to mutual cooperation and assistance for the purpose of enforcing Canadian and American unsolicited telecommunications laws.
• In June 2016, the CRTC signed a memorandum of understanding with 10 international enforcement agencies to fight unlawful spam and unsolicited telecommunications.
• The CRTC and Federal Trade Commission signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2016 relating to unsolicited telecommunications, unsolicited commercial electronic messages (spam) and other unlawful electronic threats.
• The FCC and CRTC are active participants of UCENet, a network of international spam and unsolicited communications enforcement agencies dedicated to facilitating and supporting cross border investigations.

Quote

"This agreement reiterates the long-standing cooperation between the FCC and CRTC, and strengthens our efforts to protect Canadians. Working in close partnership with the FCC, we will enhance our expertise to investigate those who disregard our rules, while increasing our effectiveness in reducing unlawful and illegitimate telecommunications."

- Steven Harroun, CRTC Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer

Related Product

Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Federal Communications Commission and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Mutual Assistance in the Enforcement of Laws on Automated Telephone Calls and Inaccurate Caller Identification

Associated Links

• Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (appendix 1)
• Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation

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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]