“Truth in Caller ID Act” Signed by President Obama

This posting was written by Thomas A. Long, Editor of CCH Privacy Law in Marketing.

A law that amends the Telephone Consumer Protection Act to prohibit the transmission of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value was signed by President Obama on December 22, 2010.

The “Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009” (Public Law No. 111-331, Senate Bill 30) is intended to combat “spoofing,” which occurs when a telephone caller alters the number or other information that appears on a recipient’s caller ID to conceal his or her identity.

Transmissions are exempted if they are made in connection with authorized activities of law enforcement agencies or a court order specifically authorizing the use of caller ID manipulation.

The law calls for the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe implementing regulations no later than six months after enactment.

Further details will appear in an upcoming issue of CCH Privacy Law in Marketing.