CRTC partners with international agencies to fight spam and unsolicited phone calls

News Release

June 14, 2016 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with ten enforcement agencies from across the globe to fight unlawful spam and unsolicited telecommunications.

The other agencies are:

• The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• The United States’ Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission
• The Australian Communications and Media Authority
• The Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers & Markets
• The United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office and National Trading Standards Intelligence Team
• The Korea Internet & Security Agency
• The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs
• The South Africa National Consumer Commission

The agreement promotes cooperation between the CRTC and its international counterparts in enforcing Canadian and international spam and unsolicited telecommunications laws. The agencies have committed to sharing information and intelligence, where permitted by the laws of its jurisdiction, regarding unsolicited communications.

By working closely with its partners, the CRTC will be able to more effectively ensure that all those who engage in unsolicited communications, whether local or foreign, comply with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and Canada’s Anti-Spam legislation.

Quick Facts

• The eleven organizations are members of the London Action Plan, a network of international spam and unsolicited communications enforcement agencies.
• The London Action Plan was created in London, England on October 11, 2004, as part of an initiative with 27 countries to discuss international spam and unsolicited telecommunications enforcement cooperation.
• On March 24, 2016, the CRTC and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission signed a memorandum of understanding to enforce laws related to unsolicited telecommunications and spam as well as exchanging knowledge and expertise through training programs and staff exchanges.

Quote

“Unsolicited calls and spam continue to be a nuisance in Canada and in other jurisdictions. This agreement sends a strong message that the international enforcement community is committed to putting a stop to these unlawful activities and to holding those responsible to account, wherever they are located. We look forward to collaborating more closely with our partners to protect Canadians’ privacy in their homes and on their mobile devices.”

- Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO, CRTC

Associated Links

• London Action Plan
• Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Federal Trade Commission and the CRTC
• Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (appendix 1)
• Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation

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