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0 pointsmaxwell4y ago0 comments

The FCC classified SMS/MMS as unregulated, filterable "information services" rather than regulated "telecommunications services".

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/sms-mms-deemed-infor...

0 comments

krono4y ago

They should really update the "Mission and strategy" chapter on their Wikipedia page [1]. In particular the part about "Protecting Consumers & Public Safety" seems horribly outdated!

I will have to look up how this works in the EU and here in The Netherlands. Something to do for the weekend.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Communications_Commiss...

wikidani4y ago

I really would like to see what was the legal reason behind that, I know the US has issues with gov't agencies using their opinions as law but I thought mail was constitutionally protected?

maxwellOP4y ago

The FCC just makes decisions, we're talking regulations here, not laws. They justified it with "preventing spam" and enabling competition with unregulated OTT apps.

I'm glad that Twilio fought for Title II governance: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/60001324418.pdf

Where was everyone else?

As far as the sanctity of the U.S. Mail, it only applies to sealed envelopes/packages, and Congress can ban items from the mail (e.g. lottery pamphlets, spurious tokens, gasoline, etc.)

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/96/727/

wikidani4y ago

Doesn't congress make a law saying breaking x regulation carries y penalty and at the same time gives the agency power to decide what constitutes breaking x? I know for a fact that BATFE does this rather frequently. Also, thanks for the clarification about the secrecy of US mail. I apreciate it

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0 comments

krono4y ago

They should really update the "Mission and strategy" chapter on their Wikipedia page [1]. In particular the part about "Protecting Consumers & Public Safety" seems horribly outdated!

I will have to look up how this works in the EU and here in The Netherlands. Something to do for the weekend.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Communications_Commiss...

wikidani4y ago

I really would like to see what was the legal reason behind that, I know the US has issues with gov't agencies using their opinions as law but I thought mail was constitutionally protected?

maxwellOP4y ago

The FCC just makes decisions, we're talking regulations here, not laws. They justified it with "preventing spam" and enabling competition with unregulated OTT apps.

I'm glad that Twilio fought for Title II governance: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/60001324418.pdf

Where was everyone else?

As far as the sanctity of the U.S. Mail, it only applies to sealed envelopes/packages, and Congress can ban items from the mail (e.g. lottery pamphlets, spurious tokens, gasoline, etc.)

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/96/727/

wikidani4y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse