Places and Things

The FCC is about to start holding providers accountable for anti-robocall efforts The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is introducing a new database all voice providers will have to use to allow the agency to track the work they're doing to stop robocalls. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/fcc-robocall-mitigation-database-182723864.html

Google's Phone app can automatically record calls from unknown numbers Google quietly added call recording to its Phone app last year with a bunch of restrictions based on your device and region. Now, it's expanding the feature to let you record calls automatically from unknown numbers. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/google-phone-app-automatically-record-calls-133949592.html

WhatsApp’s desktop app now has video and voice calls WhatsApp’s desktop app for Mac and PC is getting voice and video calling today, the company announced, offering end-to-end encrypted calls to other WhatsApp users on both computers and mobile devices. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/4/22312152/whatsapp-desktop-app-mac-pc-video-voice-calls-available-now

After months of negotiations, Congress approved a landmark bill on Thursday to stop the flood of illegal robocalls. The president is expected to sign it into law within the next few days. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/19/21030114/robocalls-bill-congress-president-trump-sign-law-illegal-fcc-ajit-pai https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65940595/DSCF2964.0.jpg

Today, Senate approved the TRACED Act, or Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement Act. The legislation could give the government new powers to prosecute robocallers, The Washington Post says. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/12/19/congress-traced-act-robocall-legislation/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D5500%252C3434%252C0%252C206%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C999%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2019-10%252F7007f990-f4f0-11e9-bff9-161713e1ed0c%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D6176e1dd3ec2ee449d6782652784694d1b115055&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=07289c8e2ae05ba586da0eaafa357b14b02b8dd7