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FCC robocall crackdown could change phone privacy
Robocalls are the phone version of stepping on a Lego barefoot. You know the pain. Your phone buzzes during dinner, during a meeting or right when you finally sit down. Then a fake bank alert, Medicare scam or “urgent” car warranty pitch tries to hijack your day.
So when the Federal Communications Commission says it wants to crack down on illegal robocalls, most people will probably say, “Finally.”
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a recent press release, “We must bring meaningful robocall relief to consumers.” A few days later, the FCC said stopping illegal calls remains its top consumer protection priority.
The agency has reason to be aggressive. Late last year, a report from the consumer advocacy group U.S. PIRG Education Fund found that Americans had received 2.14 billion robocalls per month in 2024. That works out to only a handful per person on average, but robocalls do not hit everyone evenly. Some Americans can get hit with dozens of spam calls in a single day.
Still, the FCC’s proposed fix raises a new question. Could the fight against robocalls also make it harder to get a phone without having to hand over more personal information?
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FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE
Last month, the FCC voted to seek public comment on stronger “Know Your Customer” rules for voice service providers. These rules are not final yet. The FCC is still gathering feedback, including privacy concerns. Under the proposal, phone providers may have to collect more information from new and renewing customers before giving them access to service. That could include a full legal name, physical address, government ID and an existing phone number.
For higher-volume customers, the FCC is also looking at additional checks. Providers may need to review how the customer plans to use the service and whether other details look suspicious. The goal is to stop bad actors before they can flood phone networks with illegal calls.
That sounds reasonable when you picture a scam call center blasting thousands of fake alerts. However, the privacy concern starts when you think about everyday people who rely on prepaid phones, temporary numbers or more private ways to communicate.
Burner phones have a shady reputation because TV shows love to put them in the hands of criminals. In real life, though, prepaid phones can serve people who need flexibility or safety. Someone leaving an abusive relationship may need a phone that isn’t connected to a shared family account. A person without stable housing may not have a traditional physical address. A journalist source, whistleblower or privacy-conscious consumer may also prefer a phone number that isn’t tied to every part of their identity.
Civil liberties advocates warn that the FCC proposal could create a broader identity-verification system around one of the last semi-anonymous communication tools available to ordinary Americans.
That does not mean the FCC is trying to ban burner phones outright. Still, if phone providers must collect more identity details before activating or renewing service, anonymous or semi-anonymous phone access could become much harder to get.
INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU
The FCC proposal also discusses risk-based checks. That means certain customer details or behaviors could trigger a deeper review.
Possible red flags may reportedly include using a virtual office, using certain commercial addresses, operating a suspicious website or using an email address that raises concerns.
Other red flags could include not being traceable to the state listed in the customer’s address or paying for phone service with cryptocurrency.
That may help carriers spot scam operations. But it also raises a tricky question. What happens when a legitimate person gets flagged because their life does not fit neatly into a standard form?
A person using a shelter address, mail service or privacy-focused payment method could face more questions. The rules may be aimed at robocallers, yet the burden could land on people who already have a hard time proving who they are.
The proposed enforcement system could put serious pressure on telecom providers. The FCC proposal reportedly includes a possible $2,500 per-call base forfeiture for Know Your Customer violations.
That is a big incentive for providers to be careful. It may also make them overcorrect. If a provider thinks a customer looks risky, it may decide that denying service is safer than getting blamed later. For consumers, that could mean more ID checks, more account reviews and more hoops to jump through when signing up for phone service.
The FCC argues that, as the gateway to the phone network, carriers are in the best position to stop scammers before calls go out. The concern is whether that gate becomes too hard for ordinary people to pass through.
For now, nothing changes overnight. These rules are still proposed. The FCC is asking for public comment, and any final rules would come later.
Still, this proposal points to where phone service may be heading. Carriers may collect more identity information. Prepaid service may become less private. Some customers may face more questions when they open or renew an account.
That could bring fewer scam calls. It could also mean less anonymity for people who have legitimate reasons to keep a phone number separate from the rest of their life.
ANDROID SECURITY UPGRADES OUTSMART SCAMS AND PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY
You do not need to wait for regulators to act. You can lower your risk right now.
If you do not recognize the number, let it ring. Scammers often rely on panic. A real caller can leave a message.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Phone. Look for Screen Unknown Callers and choose Ask Reason for Calling. This screens calls from unsaved numbers before your phone rings, so you can decide whether to answer.
If spam calls are overwhelming, you can choose Silence instead. Just be aware that calls from people not in your contacts may go straight to voicemail. That could include a doctor’s office, school, delivery driver or other legitimate caller.
You can also check Call Filtering and turn on available carrier spam-filtering options. For example, AT&T may show a Spam toggle that says calls identified as spam or fraud will be silenced, sent to voicemail and moved to the spam list. Other carriers may use different wording or place this option in a carrier app.
On a Samsung phone, open the Phone app > tap the three dots in the upper-right corner > Settings > Caller ID and spam protection > turn on Caller ID and spam protection. Then tap Block spam and scam calls and choose the blocking level that works best for you, such as blocking all spam and scam calls or only high-risk scam calls. Menu wording may vary by carrier, region and whether your phone uses Samsung Phone or Phone by Google.
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and other carriers offer spam call blocking features. Some are free, while others require a paid plan. Check your carrier app for call protection settings.
Scammers can pull your phone number, address and other personal details from data broker and people-search sites. That information can make robocalls sound more believable. A data removal service can help remove your personal information from many of these sites, and keep checking if it shows up again. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan at CyberGuy.com/FreeScan
A robocall may tell you to press a number to stop future calls. That can confirm your number is active. Hang up instead.
A scammer may pretend to be your bank, carrier or a government agency. Do not share one-time passcodes, Social Security numbers or payment details over an unexpected call.
Register your number for free with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. The registry will not stop criminals, but it can reduce legitimate telemarketing calls. That makes scam calls easier to spot.
You can report unwanted calls at donotcall.gov/report.html or file a complaint with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us. Reports help regulators track patterns and target bad actors.
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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: CyberGuy.com
Robocalls are more than annoying. They waste time, steal money and make people think twice before answering their own phones. So yes, stronger action is needed. But privacy has to be part of the conversation. The FCC’s proposal is aimed at scam call operations, but the final rules should not make it harder for everyday people to get a private or low-cost phone when they need one. That’s the balance regulators have to get right. They need to make life harder for robocallers without turning every phone customer into a suspect. Phone service connects people to jobs, doctors, family, schools and emergency help. Any crackdown should protect that access while still going after the bad actors abusing the system.
Would you be willing to show more ID to get phone service if it meant fewer robocalls, or does that feel like too much privacy to give up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
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Tucker Carlson Officially Makes Shock Announcement — He’s Out
A growing divide within the conservative movement is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, as longtime commentator Tucker Carlson declared that he no longer considers himself a Republican, citing frustration with what he sees as the party’s abandonment of its America First roots.
Carlson made the remarks during a podcast appearance with hosts Travis Dhanraj and Karman Wong, where the discussion turned to the political landscape ahead of the upcoming midterm elections and whether voters remain satisfied with the direction of the Republican Party.
While Carlson made clear that he remains aligned with many conservative principles, he argued that some Republican leaders have drifted away from the priorities that helped fuel President Donald Trump’s rise and transformed the GOP into the dominant force it is today.
“I’m out,” Carlson said during the interview.
“And if I’m out, then I think a lot of other people are out.”
Carlson’s comments came as he discussed polling data and voter sentiment ahead of the next election cycle.
“I would not support the Republican party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican party,” he said.
The former Fox News host argued that certain Republican lawmakers had betrayed their voters by supporting policies he believes put foreign interests ahead of American priorities.
“How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States? That puts the interests of a foreign country above those of its own citizens?
“It’s not possible to vote for people like that, and I’m not going to.”
Carlson’s remarks highlight a growing debate inside conservative circles over the future direction of the Republican Party.
At the center of the disagreement is not President Trump himself, but rather how some Republicans have approached foreign policy, military intervention, and America’s role overseas.
Trump built his political movement on the promise of putting American interests first, securing the border, rebuilding the economy, restoring energy independence, and avoiding the endless foreign conflicts that frustrated many voters for decades.
Many of Trump’s supporters continue to view the America First agenda as one of the defining achievements of his political movement.
Carlson suggested that some Republicans have lost sight of those principles.
“I think I’ve voted Republican my entire life,” Carlson said.
“I’ve been a consistent defender for 35 years, of the Republican party. I mean, a very consistent defender.”
“But there’s no defending this because it’s immoral and it’s exactly the opposite of what a political party in a democracy is charged with doing — which is representing its own voters, its own citizens, its own nation.”
“And they’re not doing that,” Carlson concluded.
The comments come amid an ongoing debate among conservatives regarding foreign policy, particularly following recent tensions involving Iran and the broader Middle East.
Carlson has been one of the most vocal advocates of a non-interventionist approach that emphasizes American interests above foreign entanglements. Other conservatives, including commentators and lawmakers aligned with a more traditional hawkish worldview, have argued that a strong American presence abroad remains necessary to protect national security.
The disagreement intensified after military operations involving Iran earlier this year, with Carlson and several other prominent voices warning against policies they believe could lead to deeper involvement in overseas conflicts.
Despite those disagreements, Carlson has generally continued to support many of Trump’s domestic policies, including border security, immigration enforcement, energy production, and efforts to prioritize American workers and taxpayers.
The broader divide illustrates the ongoing evolution of the Republican Party under Trump’s influence.
For decades, the GOP was largely defined by traditional establishment conservatives who favored aggressive foreign policy and intervention abroad. Trump’s rise fundamentally reshaped that coalition, bringing millions of working-class voters, independents, and populist conservatives into the party.
Today, debates like the one Carlson has raised reflect a larger question facing Republicans: how closely the party will adhere to the America First principles that helped fuel Trump’s political success.
Whether Carlson ultimately returns to the Republican fold remains to be seen. But his comments underscore a reality that many political observers have noted in recent years: the future of the conservative movement is increasingly being shaped by debates over foreign policy, national sovereignty, and what it truly means to put America first.
As those discussions continue, one thing remains clear: the America First movement that transformed Republican politics is still driving much of the conversation inside the conservative movement today.
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Top Fox News Host Suffers Deranged Meltdown On LIVE TV — Doesn’t End Well…
A growing divide within the conservative movement spilled into public view this weekend as Fox News host Mark Levin launched a blistering attack on President Donald Trump’s Iran strategy, accusing the administration of pressuring Israel while pursuing a diplomatic agreement designed to permanently prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The dispute comes as the Trump administration continues negotiations with Tehran following a series of devastating military strikes that crippled Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, eliminated key regime leaders, and left the Islamic Republic in one of the weakest positions it has faced in decades.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have argued that the administration is negotiating from a position of overwhelming strength after demonstrating a willingness to use military force when necessary. Their goal, they say, is simple: ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon while avoiding another endless war in the Middle East.
Levin, however, remains deeply skeptical.
During a fiery monologue that lasted more than 17 minutes on Saturday, the longtime conservative commentator accused members of the administration of unfairly targeting Israel while becoming too optimistic about Iran’s intentions.
“I want to say to people in and out of the administration: stop trashing, smearing, bullying the little state of Israel. Stop cozying up to and telling us that the enemy regime in Iran is now more rational, more moderate, and a regime that we can deal with,” Levin demanded. “When just a few months ago they slaughtered 50,000 people, they’re still hanging young people today and, if they had a nuclear missile today, they’d fire it into our country as sure as I’m alive.”
Levin also rejected any suggestion that Israel should allow outside governments to dictate its security decisions.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but if people think they can bully a little country, Israel — a people that have existed 4,000 years through the Babylonians and the Persians, through the Romans and the Third Reich — into surrendering their defense and their decision on how to secure their country, they get another thing coming,” Levin continued. “I think it’s outrageous.”
The criticism did not stop there.
Levin also used social media to question several administration policies, including reports surrounding a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar and modified for use supporting presidential airlift operations.
“If it’s legal and other countries do it so be it. Do you think wealthy countries should be able to lavish gifts on our government?” Levin wrote.
His sharpest criticism, however, focused on the administration’s efforts to secure a broader peace agreement with Iran and its proxies.
“Item #1 in the MOU provides there’s an immediate and permanent end to the war and that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran is Hezbollah,” Levin posted. “What’s the enforcement mechanism? Nothing. Israel defends itself after constant attacks from Hezbollah and is admonished for it. Its interests are not aligned with ours, we’re told. It’s endangering the peace deal. This is beyond nuts.”
In another post, Levin argued that current ceasefire efforts were coming at Israel’s expense.
“Apparently as long as Israeli soldiers are killed the ceasefire is holding,” Levin claimed.
The administration has strongly rejected suggestions that it is abandoning Israel or weakening its support for America’s closest ally in the Middle East.
President Trump responded directly Sunday with a warning aimed squarely at Iran and its regional proxies.
“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
For supporters of the administration, that message demonstrates exactly why they remain confident in Trump’s approach. They argue that no modern president has shown a greater willingness to confront Iran militarily while simultaneously seeking a diplomatic resolution that serves American interests.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both emphasized that any final agreement would require Iran to permanently abandon its nuclear ambitions, submit to extensive inspections, and comply with strict verification requirements before receiving any economic benefits.
Administration officials also note that no sanctions have been lifted, no frozen assets have been released, and no direct payments have been authorized.
Instead, they argue that Trump has successfully put Iran in a position where the regime must choose between compliance and continued isolation.
The disagreement highlights a broader debate that has been developing inside the Republican Party for years.
Traditional foreign-policy hawks often favor maintaining maximum military pressure and remain deeply skeptical of negotiations with hostile regimes.
Trump’s America First coalition generally supports overwhelming military strength but prefers leveraging that strength into favorable deals that avoid long-term military entanglements.
Supporters of the president argue that Trump’s strategy reflects the same formula that has defined much of his foreign policy: peace through strength.
Strike hard when necessary. Demonstrate unquestionable resolve. Negotiate from a position of power. And avoid the costly nation-building efforts and endless conflicts that frustrated many Americans for decades.
As negotiations continue, the debate between Levin and the Trump administration reflects a larger question facing conservatives: how best to secure American interests abroad while staying true to the America First principles that have reshaped the Republican Party.
For now, President Trump appears committed to proving that military strength and diplomacy are not opposing strategies—but complementary tools for achieving lasting peace and protecting America’s national security.
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It’s Over! The House Votes 396-13 — Trump Just Won!
In a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the amended 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act this week, advancing a package of reforms designed to tackle America’s housing affordability crisis while delivering on several key priorities championed by President Donald Trump.
The legislation passed by a decisive 396-13 vote, reflecting broad agreement that soaring housing costs, rising rents, and limited inventory have pushed homeownership out of reach for millions of Americans.
Supporters say the bill addresses one of the country’s most pressing economic challenges by cutting red tape, increasing housing supply, strengthening lending opportunities, and helping ensure that American families—not large corporations—have a fair shot at buying homes.
The legislation combines elements of previous House and Senate proposals and seeks to address housing shortages that have contributed to record-high home prices in many parts of the country.
House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill praised the measure as a practical, results-oriented solution focused on expanding opportunities for working Americans.
“This bill prioritizes American families by expanding homeownership, enhancing affordability, reducing burdensome regulations that drive up costs, and increasing housing supply nationwide,” Chairman Hill stated.
“Importantly, it delivers on President Trump’s call to limit institutional investors from competing with the American people as they seek to purchase a home,” Hill added.
The legislation includes a variety of reforms aimed at accelerating housing construction and reducing barriers that have slowed development for years.
Among its key provisions, the bill streamlines federal permitting requirements, reduces lengthy environmental review processes for certain redevelopment and infill housing projects, and encourages innovative housing solutions such as modular and manufactured homes.
The measure also provides grants to local governments willing to modernize zoning laws and remove restrictions that limit new construction.
Supporters argue that restrictive zoning policies, excessive permitting delays, and government bureaucracy have significantly contributed to America’s housing shortage.
Rather than relying on massive new federal spending programs, the legislation focuses on empowering local communities, encouraging private-sector investment, and removing obstacles that make housing more expensive.
The bill also raises loan limits for multifamily housing developments, creating incentives for apartment construction and expanding options for renters and first-time buyers alike.
Additional provisions strengthen rural housing initiatives, expand support for veterans seeking housing, modernize financing for smaller mortgage loans, and increase the role community banks can play in local lending markets.
Community banks have long argued that excessive regulations have made it more difficult for them to serve homebuyers and construction projects in their local communities.
Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters acknowledged the seriousness of the housing crisis despite broader political disagreements.
“America is in the middle of a full-blown affordable housing and homelessness crisis, and working families are burdened by skyrocketing rents and a housing market that is pushing homeownership further out of reach,” Waters said.
One of the most notable aspects of the legislation is its effort to curb the growing influence of large institutional investors in the housing market.
For years, investment firms and corporate landlords have purchased thousands of single-family homes, often outbidding families and first-time homebuyers. Critics argue that this trend has driven up prices while transforming communities into rental markets dominated by large corporations.
The legislation includes targeted restrictions designed to discourage large institutional investors from acquiring additional single-family homes.
That approach aligns closely with President Trump’s housing agenda.
Throughout his second administration, Trump has repeatedly argued that homeownership should remain a cornerstone of the American Dream and that government policies should prioritize families over Wall Street investors.
In his National Homeownership Month proclamation earlier this month, Trump emphasized the importance of restoring affordability and expanding opportunities for future homeowners.
“During National Homeownership Month, my Administration recommits to making housing more affordable so that young Americans and hardworking families can raise children, build memories, and create a future in a home of their own,” Trump said.
The president has frequently blamed the housing crisis on “reckless spending, burdensome regulations, and failed housing policies” implemented under previous administrations, as well as “mass illegal immigration and large institutional investors” that have increased pressure on housing supply.
Trump has also taken executive actions aimed at reducing institutional ownership of single-family homes, lowering mortgage costs, and strengthening federal housing programs.
“Under my leadership, America will be a Nation where homes belong to families — not corporations,” Trump said.
At the same time, Trump has emphasized the importance of protecting the value of homes already owned by millions of Americans.
“I don’t want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes. Existing housing, people who own their homes, we’re going to keep them wealthy. We’re going to keep those prices up. We’re not going to destroy the value of their homes so that somebody that didn’t work very hard can buy a home,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting earlier this year.
He has also repeatedly summarized his housing philosophy with a simple message:
“Homes are built for people, not for corporations, and America will not become a nation of renters.”
With overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and growing concern over affordability nationwide, supporters hope the legislation will mark a significant step toward restoring homeownership opportunities and ensuring that the American Dream remains within reach for future generations.
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