| Page Range | 26284-26286 | |
| FR Document | 2018-12084 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 26284-26286] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-12084] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [CG Docket Nos. 18-152, 02-278; DA 18-493] Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks Comment on Interpretation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act in Light of the D.C. Circuit's ACA International Decision AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission, via the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (Bureau), invites comment on several issues related to interpretation and implementation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) following the recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in ACA International v. FCC: What constitutes an ``automatic telephone dialing system,'' how to treat calls to reassigned wireless numbers, and how a called party may revoke prior express consent to receive robocalls under the TCPA. In addition, the Bureau seeks to refresh the record on two pending petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's Broadnet Declaratory Ruling and on a pending petition for reconsideration of the 2016 Federal Debt Collection Rules that implemented amendments to the TCPA. DATES: Comments are due on June 13, 2018. Reply comments are due on June 28, 2018. ADDRESSES: Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).Electronic Filers: Documents may be filed electronically using the internet by accessing ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701. U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact Kristi Thornton of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-2467 or [email protected]; Christina Clearwater at (202) 418-1893 or [email protected]; or Karen Schroeder at (202) 418-0654 or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Public Notice, document DA 18-493, released on May 14, 2018. The full text of document DA 18-493 will be available for public inspection and copying via ECFS, and during regular business hours at the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street SW, Room CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. A copy of document DA 18-493 and any subsequently filed documents in this matter may also be found by searching ECFS at: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/ (insert CG Docket Nos. 18-152 or 02-278 into the Proceeding block). Interested parties may file comments on or before the dates indicated above in the Dates portion of this notice. All filings must reference CG Docket Nos. 18-152 and 02-278. Pursuant to Sec. 1.1200 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1200, this matter shall be treated as a ``permit-but-disclose'' proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must: (1) List all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made; and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments, memoranda, or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with Sec. 1.1206(b) of the Commission's rules. In proceedings governed by Sec. 1.49(f) of the rules or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission's ex parte rules. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and [[Page 26285]] Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (844) 432-2275 (videophone), or (202) 418-0432 (TTY). Document DA 18-493 can also be downloaded in Word or Portable Document Format (PDF) at: https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-18-493A1.docx. Synopsis 1. In the Public Notice, the Bureau seeks comment on several issues related to interpretation and implementation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), following the recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in ACA International v. FCC, 885 F.3d 687 (D.C. Cir. 2018). First, the Bureau seeks comment on what constitutes an ``automatic telephone dialing system.'' The TCPA defines an automatic telephone dialing system as ``equipment which has the capacity--(A) to store or produce telephone numbers to be called, using a random or sequential number generator; and (B) to dial such numbers.'' The Commission had interpreted the term ``capacity'' to include a device ``even if, for example, it requires the addition of software to actually perform the functions described in the definition''--``an expansive interpretation of `capacity' having the apparent effect of embracing any and all smartphones.'' The court set aside this interpretation, finding the agency's ``capacious understanding of a device's `capacity' lies considerably beyond the agency's zone of delegated authority.'' 2. The Bureau seeks comment on how to interpret ``capacity'' in light of the court's guidance. For example, how much user effort should be required to enable the device to function as an automatic telephone dialing system? Does equipment have the capacity if it requires the simple flipping of a switch? If the addition of software can give it the requisite functionality? If it requires essentially a top-to-bottom reconstruction of the equipment? In answering that question, what kinds (and how broad a swath) of telephone equipment might then be deemed to qualify as an automatic telephone dialing system? Notably, in light of the court's guidance that the Commission's prior interpretation had an ``eye-popping sweep,'' the Bureau seeks comment on how to more narrowly interpret the word ``capacity'' to better comport with the congressional findings and the intended reach of the statute. 3. The Bureau seeks further comment on the functions a device must be able to perform to qualify as an automatic telephone dialing system. Again, the TCPA defines an ``automatic telephone dialing system'' as ``equipment which has the capacity--(A) to store or produce telephone numbers to be called, using a random or sequential number generator; and (B) to dial such numbers.'' Regarding the term ``automatic,'' the Commission explained that the ``basic function[ ]'' of an automatic telephone dialing system is to ``dial numbers without human intervention'' and yet ``declined to `clarify[ ] that a dialer is not an [automatic telephone dialing system] unless it has the capacity to dial numbers without human intervention.' '' As the court put it, ``[t]hose side-by-side propositions are difficult to square.'' The court further noted the Commission said another basic function was to ``dial thousands of numbers in a short period of time,'' which left parties ``in a significant fog of uncertainty'' on how to apply that notation. How ``automatic'' must dialing be for equipment to qualify as an automatic telephone dialing system? Does the word ``automatic'' ``envision non-manual dialing of telephone numbers''? Must such a system dial numbers without human intervention? Must it dial thousands of numbers in a short period of time? If so, what constitutes a short period of time for these purposes? 4. Regarding the provision concerning a ``random or sequential number generator,'' the court noted that ``the 2015 ruling indicates in certain places that a device must be able to generate and dial random or sequential numbers to meet the TCPA's definition of an autodialer, [and] it also suggests a competing view: that equipment can meet the statutory definition even if it lacks that capacity.'' The court explained ``the Commission cannot, consistent with reasoned decisionmaking, espouse both competing interpretations in the same order.'' And so, like the court, the Bureau seeks comment on ``which is it?'' If equipment cannot itself dial random or sequential numbers, can that equipment be an automatic telephone dialing system? 5. The court also noted that the statute prohibits ``mak[ing] any call . . . using any automatic telephone dialing system''--leading to the question ``does the bar against `making any call using' an [automatic telephone dialing system] apply only to calls made using the equipment's [automatic telephone dialing system] functionality?'' The Bureau seeks comment on this question. If a caller does not use equipment as an automatic telephone dialing system, does the statutory prohibition apply? The court also noted that adopting such an interpretation could limit the scope of the statutory bar: ``the fact that a smartphone could be configured to function as an autodialer would not matter unless the relevant software in fact were loaded onto the phone and were used to initiate calls or send messages.'' Should the Commission adopt this approach? More broadly, how should the Commission interpret these various statutory provisions in harmony? The Bureau also seeks comment on a petition for declaratory ruling filed by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform and several other parties, asking the Commission to clarify the definition of ``automatic telephone dialing system'' in light of the D.C. Circuit's decision. 6. Second, the Bureau seeks comment on how to treat calls to reassigned wireless numbers under the TCPA. The statute carves out calls ``made with the prior express consent of the called party'' from its prohibitions. The court vacated as arbitrary and capricious the Commission's interpretation of the term ``called party,'' including a one-call safe harbor for callers to detect reassignments, and noted that the Commission ``consistently adopted a `reasonable reliance' approach when interpreting the TCPA's approval of calls based on `prior express consent.' '' The Bureau seeks comment on how to interpret the term ``called party'' for calls to reassigned numbers. Does the ``called party'' refer to ``the person the caller expected to reach''? Or does it refer to the party the caller reasonably expected to reach? Or does it refer to ``the person actually reached, the wireless number's present-day subscriber after reassignment''? Or does it refer to a ```customary user' (`such as a close relative on a subscriber's family calling plan'), rather than . . . the subscriber herself''? What interpretation best implements the statute in light of the decision? Should the Commission maintain its reasonable-reliance approach to prior express consent? Is a reassigned numbers safe harbor necessary, and if so, what is the specific statutory authority for such a safe harbor? May the Commission, consistent with the statute, interpret the term ``called party'' to mean different things in differing contexts? How should the Commission's proceeding to establish a reassigned numbers database impact the interpretation, if at all? 7. Third, the Bureau seeks comment on how a called party may revoke prior express consent to receive robocalls. The court found that ``a party may revoke her consent through any reasonable means clearly expressing a desire to receive no further messages from the caller.'' Such a standard, the [[Page 26286]] court made clear, means ``callers . . . have no need to train every retail employee on the finer points of revocation'' and have ``every incentive to avoid TCPA liability by making available clearly-defined and easy-to-use opt-out methods.'' The Bureau seeks comment on what opt-out methods would be sufficiently clearly defined and easy to use such that ``any effort to sidestep the available methods in favor of idiosyncratic or imaginative revocation requests might well be seen as unreasonable.'' For example, what opt-out method would be clearly defined and sufficiently easy to use for unwanted calls? Pushing a standardized code (such as ``*7'')? Saying ``stop calling'' in response to a live caller? Offering opt-out through a website? For unwanted texts, would a response of ``stop'' or similar keywords be sufficiently easy to use and clearly defined? What other methods would be sufficient? And must callers offer all or some combination of such methods to qualify? 8. Fourth, in light of the court's decision on several key TCPA issues, the Bureau seeks renewed comment on two pending petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's Broadnet Declaratory Ruling. In the first, National Consumer Law Center asks the Commission to reconsider its interpretation of ``person'' and clarify that federal government contractors, regardless of their status as common-law agents, are ``persons'' under the TCPA. In the second, Professional Services Council asks the Commission to reconsider its reliance on common-law agency principles and clarify that contractors acting on behalf of the federal government are not ``persons'' under the TCPA. 9. The Bureau seeks comment on issues raised in those petitions and whether contractors acting on behalf of federal, state, and local governments are ``persons'' under the TCPA. While the question of whether contractors acting on behalf of state and local governments are ``persons'' for purposes of the TCPA is not raised in the pending petitions for reconsideration of the Broadnet Declaratory Ruling, the Commission has not addressed these questions. Should it do so now? Are all three levels of government subject to the same legal framework in determining whether they are ``persons''? How is a state or local government official, or a contractor making calls on their behalf, legally similar to or different from federal government callers? 10. Fifth, the Bureau seeks renewed comment on the pending petition for reconsideration of the 2016 Federal Debt Collection Rules, published at 81 FR 80594, November 16, 2016, filed by Great Lakes Higher Education Corp. et al. Great Lakes asks the Commission to reconsider several aspects of the rules, including the applicability of the TCPA's limits on calls to reassigned wireless numbers. In light of the court's opinion on reassigned numbers, the Bureau seeks renewed comment on this and other issues raised by the petition. 11. The Bureau also seeks comment on the interplay between the Broadnet decision and the Budget Act amendments--if a federal contractor is not a ``person'' for purposes of the TCPA (as the Commission held in Broadnet), would the rules adopted in the 2016 Federal Debt Collection Rules even apply to a federal contractor collecting a federal debt? Do persons who are not federal contractors collect federal debts? Or does the Budget Act amendment underlying the 2016 Federal Debt Collection Rules undermine the rationale of Broadnet? Federal Communications Commission. Gregory Haledjian, Legal Advisor, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. [FR Doc. 2018-12084 Filed 6-5-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Comments are due on June 13, 2018. Reply comments are due on June 28, 2018. | |
| Contact | For further information, contact Kristi Thornton of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-2467 or [email protected]; Christina Clearwater at (202) 418-1893 or [email protected]; or Karen Schroeder at (202) 418-0654 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 26284 |