The FCC is proposing a rule that would force phone companies to collect government-issued ID, physical address, and an alternate phone number from every new and existing customer before providing service.
The stated goal is fighting robocalls. The practical effect, critics say, would be killing the prepaid burner phone — a tool used by journalists, whistleblowers, domestic violence survivors, and anyone who values privacy.
Belle Torek, a Technology Safety Specialist at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told the FCC in a filing that many behaviors the proposal treats as suspicious are, for survivors, life-preserving safety practices. Prepaid phones let abusers be located and stalked; they also let victims escape.
The proposal would require carriers to store this data and make it available on request. Privacy groups say it creates a massive surveillance infrastructure with minimal oversight and no clear data retention limits.
The FCC is currently accepting public comments. If you have an opinion on anonymous phone use, now’s the time to make it heard.
