FCC and FTC Issue MOU for Continued Cooperation on Consumer Protection Matters

FTC FCC UDAAP

On November 16, the FCC and the FTC executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on continued cooperative efforts to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices involving telecommunications services. In an effort to formalize existing cooperation among the agencies, the MOU outlines the ways in which the two agencies will continue to work together, including: (i) coordinating agency initiatives where one agency’s action will significantly impact the other agency’s authority or programs; (ii) sharing investigative techniques and tools, intelligence, technical and legal expertise, as necessary, in addition to best practices in response to reasonable requests for such assistance; and (iii) collaborating on consumer and industry outreach and education efforts, as appropriate. Moreover, the MOU identifies the scope of each agency’s enforcement authority with respect to common carriers, and confirms that the 2003 MOU regarding Telemarketing Enforcement between the two agencies remains effective, stating that the most recent MOU should not “be construed as altering, amending, or invalidating that [2003] MOU.”