The FCC recently announced updated rules around robocalling, and have even offered up a $50,000 prize for anyone who can invent a technology to stop robocalling altogether. In the spirit of helping out, I had a few ideas on how to help address the problem.
1) Add a new star code (similar to *69) that automates reporting spam. Hit a certain threshold and an investigation should be triggered. Hit a higher threshold and the number should get automatically shutdown.
2) Add digital voice analysis. This may not be overly acceptable to people as it implies monitoring their calls. However, if you compress the first, say, 30-60 seconds of the callers side of the conversation and produce a signature, then you should be able to start cataloging different recorded messages and heuristically stomping them out. On the down-side, this will inevitably create a cat-n-mouse game.
3) Improved legislation banning robocallers. It should be outright banned at this point, and there should be hefty penalties associated with it (financial AND criminal). As I've been known to point out on occasion, unbalancing the status quo is oftentimes just as effective as dictating specific requirements or prohibitions. The legislation should also mandate that all phone numbers be tied to known people who can be held accountable for improper behavior.
So, there you have it... 3 simple ideas... feasible? Perhaps, perhaps not... you know what they say about free advice... you almost always get your money's worth! ;)
