The FCC’s plan to fight spam texts could give phone companies more power over messaging

The FCC unveiled two proposals today to battle the scourge of phone spam, although at least one of those moves is likely to be controversial. In its announcement, the agency said it plans to formally classify text messaging as an information service, a legal distinction it said will be key to battling spam text messages. The classification, the agency said, will allow phone carriers to continue to use blocking technology to stop spam messages from reaching phones. The FCC says the classification will help fight spam texts But some consumer advocates have pushed for the FCC to instead classify messaging as a telecommunications service. Without that classification, groups like Public Knowledge have argued, phone companies will be able to... Continue reading…