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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will co-host a Joint Policy Forum to discuss the regulatory challenges posed by illegal robocalls and what the agencies are doing to both protect consumers and encourage the development of private-sector solutions.

This event will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC.

The tentative agenda for the Joint Policy Forum is outlined below:

9:30 am

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 amRemarks 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  Closing Remarks by Svetlana Gans, Chief of Staff to Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen, FTC

The Policy Forum is open to the public and 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.

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.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Make your request as early as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).

For questions or additional information about the Policy Forum, contact Keyla Hernandez-Ulloa of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0965 or Keyla.Hernandez-Ulloa@fcc.gov; or Janice Kopec of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection at (202) 326-2550.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

Contact Information

CONTACT FOR CONSUMERS:      
FTC Consumer Response Center
877-382-4357

MEDIA CONTACTS:                       
Mitchell J. Katz
FTC Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2161

Mike Snyder
FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
202-418-0997