Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (9 Feb 2007): Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
What this bill does
The Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act would make it illegal for individuals to obtain telephone company customer information through deceptive means. This includes lying to a phone company employee or submitting forged documents. The bill also prohibits asking someone else to illegally obtain this information or selling it if it was acquired improperly. Law enforcement agencies acting within their official duties would be exempt.
The bill would affect telecommunications carriers by expanding their responsibilities to protect customer calling records, whether from landlines or mobile phones. Carriers could only use this information for specific business purposes, like improving services or publishing directories, and could not share it without the customer's explicit permission. The Federal Communications Commission would be directed to create stricter security standards for this customer data.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in February 2007 and was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. As of the information provided, its latest action was its introduction, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House or Senate.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act - Makes it unlawful to attempt to obtain, or cause to be disclosed to any person, customer proprietary network information (CPNI) relating to any other person by: (1) making a false or fraudulent statement to an officer, employee, or agent of a telecommunications carrier; or (2) providing any document or other information to such officer, employee, or agent that the presenter knows or should have known to be forged, lost, stolen, or otherwise fraudulently obtained, or to contain a false or fraudulent statement or representation. Prohibits also: (1) the solicitation of another person to fraudulently obtain such information; and (2) the sale or other disclosure of CPNI obtained under false pretenses. Provides for enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to expand responsibilities of telecommunications carriers with respect to the confidentiality of subscriber (customer) calling records, both cellular and land-line based. Allows a carrier to use individual calling records only for purposes such as increasing business or publishing directories, and prohibits a carrier from otherwise disclosing CPNI without express prior authorization by the subscriber. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations adopting more stringent security standards for CPNI (including detailed customer telephone records) to detect and prevent confidentiality violations. Provides penalties for such violations.
Timeline
9 Feb 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 936 do?
- The Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act would make it illegal for individuals to obtain telephone company customer information through deceptive means. This includes lying to a phone company employee or submitting forged documents. The bill also prohibits asking someone else to illegally obtain this information or selling it if it was acquired improperly. Law enforcement agencies acting within their official duties would be exempt. The bill would affect telecommunications carriers by expanding their responsibilities to protect customer calling records, whether from landlines or mobile phones. Carriers could only use this information for specific business purposes, like improving services or publishing directories, and could not share it without the customer's explicit permission. The Federal Communications Commission would be directed to create stricter security standards for this customer data. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in February 2007 and was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. As of the information provided, its latest action was its introduction, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House or Senate.
- Has H.R. 936 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 936. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 936?
- H.R. 936 was sponsored by Rep. Dingell, John D. [D-MI-15] (D-MI), with 28 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 936?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. (9 Feb 2007).
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