FCC Robocall Crackdown May Require ID Verification for Prepaid and Burner Phones

Executive Briefing

• Proposes requiring carriers to collect name, address, government ID, and a second phone number before activating service
• Targets prepaid users most directly, reducing the anonymity that makes burner phones useful for privacy-conscious individuals
• Raises concerns for domestic abuse survivors, journalists, and whistleblowers who rely on unlinked phone numbers
• Critics argue scammers can use fake IDs to bypass rules while legitimate users bear the privacy cost
• FCC seeks public comment before June 25 deadline, with final scope still undetermined