The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have announced the agenda for their first of two joint Robocall forums. The topic at the March 23 event will cover the regulatory challenges posed by illegal robocalls and what the two agencies are doing to protect consumers and encourage the development of private-sector solutions. The second forum is planned for April 23 and will take the form of a Technology Expo.
FTC & FCC Robocall Policy Forum
Friday, March 23, 2018
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
The Policy Forum will be webcast on the FCC webpage at fcc.gov/live and information about the event is available at: fcc.gov/news-events/events/2018/03/fighting-scourge-illegal-robocalls.
Robocall Policy Forum Agenda
9:30 AM -- Joint Forum Opening
- Welcome Remarks by Patrick Webre, Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC
- Opening Remarks by Ajit Pai, Chairman, FCC
- Video Remarks by Maureen K. Ohlhausen, Acting Chairman, FTC
- Remarks by Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner, FCC
9:45 AM -- Panel 1: Challenges Facing Consumers and Industry Today
Moderator:
- Micah Caldwell, Special Counsel, Office of the Bureau Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC
Panelists:
- Eduard Bartholme, Executive Director, Call for Action, and Chair, FCC Consumer Advisory Committee
- Kevin Rupy, Vice President of Law and Policy, USTelecom
- Michele Shuster, General Counsel, Professional Association for Customer Engagement
Discussion topics will include the factors driving the volume of illegal robocalls; new threats to consumers, such as Caller ID spoofing; and protections for legitimate callers.
10:15 AM -- Remarks by Brendan Carr, Commissioner, FCC
10:25 AM Panel 2: Recent Regulatory and Enforcement Efforts
Moderator:
- Thomas B. Pahl, Acting Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC
Panelists:
- Denise Beamer, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Florida Office of the Attorney General
- Lois Greisman, Associate Director, Division of Marketing Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC
- Sherwin Siy, Special Counsel, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC
- Mark Stone, Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC
- Kristi Thompson, Chief, Telecommunications Consumer Division, Enforcement Bureau, FCC
Discussion topics will include an overview of the relevant law; recent FCC, FTC, and state actions to protect consumers; and enforcement challenges.
11:25 AM -- Remarks by Terrell McSweeny, Commissioner, FTC
11:30 AM -- Panel 3: Solutions and Tools for Consumers
Moderator:
- Julius Knapp, Chief Engineer, Office of Engineering and Technology, FCC
Panelists:
- Alex Algard, Founder & CEO, Hiya
- Jim McEachern, Senior Technology Consultant, Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions
- Alex Quilici, Chief Executive Officer, YouMail
- Margot Saunders, Senior Counsel, National Consumer Law Center
- Krista Witanowski, Assistant Vice President, CTIA
- Nat Wood, Associate Director, Division of Consumer & Business Education, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC
Discussion topics will include third-party solutions and other resources available to empower consumers; and industry efforts to develop Caller ID authentication.
12:30 PM -- Joint Forum Closing
- Closing Remarks by Svetlana Gans, Chief of Staff to Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen, FTC
The Robocall Policy Forum is open to the public.
In Person Attendance: Registration is not required, but seating is limited. Attendees are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the event to allow time to go through security. For those wishing to attend in person, please refer to the FTC press release for the Joint Policy Forum for more information.
Webcast: The Policy Forum will be webcast on the FCC webpage at fcc.gov/live and information about the event is available at: fcc.gov/news-events/events/2018/03/fighting-scourge-illegal-robocalls.
