Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren want free “Do Not Disturb” phone technology [View all]

http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20150805/NEWS/150808255



Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren want free “Do Not Disturb” phone technology
By Peter Urban
GateHouse Media Washington Bureau

Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 4:44 PM
Updated at 4:17 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren urged federal officials Wednesday to work with telephone companies on advancing “Do Not Disturb” technology that will block unwanted autodialed telephone calls and text messages from reaching their home or cell phones.

The Federal Communications Commission last month agreed to allow telephone carriers to offer new telemarketing-call-blocking technology as part of a broader declaratory ruling to protect consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls and texts. In a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, Markey and Warren urged the FCC to work with phone companies to develop effective “Do Not Disturb” technologies as quickly as possible and at no extra cost to consumers.

“This technology should be developed and deployed as quickly as possible and it should be offered to all consumers at no additional cost.

The right to privacy should not be considered a luxury feature,” they wrote.