CRTC signs partnership agreement with U.S. Federal Trade Commission to fight unlawful spam and unsolicited telecommunications
News Release
Memorandum of understanding supports Canadian laws and citizens
March 24, 2016 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Blais today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at the Embassy of the United States in Ottawa. The agreement between the two Commissions relates to unsolicited telecommunications, unsolicited commercial electronic messages (spam) and other unlawful electronic threats. FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez signed the MOU at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC.
The MOU incorporates and solidifies the CRTC’s and the FTC’s commitment to cooperate on enforcing Canadian and U.S. spam and telemarketing laws. Furthermore, the MOU will allow both the CRTC and the FTC to facilitate research and education related to unauthorized communication such as unsolicited spam and telemarketing. Both organizations also plan to share knowledge and expertise through training programs and staff exchanges, and to inform each other of developments related to the laws, among other activities, through the MOU.
The MOU further reiterates the longstanding cooperation between the FTC and CRTC. Both organizations serve on the Executive Committee of the London Action Plan, a network of international spam and unsolicited communications enforcement agencies. They also work together on investigations related to automated dialing announcing device (ADAD) calls (also known as robocalls).
The MOU outlines the levels of assistance, information confidentiality and data retention.
Quick Facts
- The CRTC and the FTC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enforce laws related to unsolicited telecommunications, unsolicited commercial electronic messages (spam) and other electronic threats.
- The MOU will facilitate research and education related to unauthorized communication. The organizations also plan to exchange knowledge and expertise through training programs and staff exchanges, and inform each other of developments related to the laws, among other activities.
- Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation prohibits the sending of commercial electronic messages without the consent of the recipient, as well as online threats (e.g. malware and botnets)
- Under the CRTC’s Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules, telemarketers are not permitted to call Canadians consumers whose telephone numbers are registered on the National Do-Not-Call List and must meet prescribed requirements when making robocalls.
Quote
“Unlawful spam and unsolicited telecommunications can undermine Canadians’ confidence in the communication systems on which they rely. This MOU will strengthen our efforts to protect those systems and their users, and to deter spammers and telemarketers who do not respect the relevant laws and rules in place. Working closely with international partners, such as the FTC, increases our effectiveness in reducing spam and unsolicited telemarketing, for the benefit of Canadians.”
- Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO, CRTC
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