Robocalls are still a plague. We tried out apps, phone features and the Do Not Call registry to stop them USA TODAY
LINKEDINCOMMENTMORE
The Federal Communications Commission is stepping up the war on robocalls.
A new ruling passed by the FCC on Thursday lets phone companies block robocalls before they get to your home phone or mobile device. 
Some landline and cellular providers currently offer call blocking tools, but phone subscribers must opt-in to use them. The FCC's rule lets service providers block calls as a default.
"If there is one thing in our country today that unites Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, socialists and libertarians, vegetarians and carnivores, Ohio State and Michigan fans, it is that they are sick and tired of being bombarded by unwanted robocalls," said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai during the commission's monthly meeting prior to the 5-0 vote to approve the rule. "My message to the American people today is simple: We hear you, and we are on your side."
Pricey tech: Apple unveils $1,000 Pro Display stand. Twitter users say 'no thanks!'
Amazon's Alexa: AI assistant will be able to plan your date night by booking tickets, Ubers and dinner


The FCC's action comes amid increased federal attention to robocalls. More than 20 U.S. senators have called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to reconsider a proposal that could exponentially increase robocalls. The bureau, in an update to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, would allow debt collectors to send unlimited texts and emails to consumers, as well as call them seven times a week per debt.
Last month, the Senate passed the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, which would make robocalls illegal and require phone companies to adopt new, in-development anti-robocall technologies called SHAKEN (Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) and STIR (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited) that could help stop unwanted calls. 
The number of robocalls in the U.S. has fallen slightly since hitting a record 5.23 billion estimated calls in March, according to YouMail, a company that provides a service to block such messages. The estimated 4.7 billion robocalls in May amounted to about 152.9 million each day, YouMail says.
How do robocallers have my number?: 5 ways to avoid being put on robocall lists
FCC Chairman: FCC should block robocalls by default

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel expressed some concern that the FCC rules do not prohibit phone companies from charging subscribers for the robocall blocking features. "I am disappointed that for all of our efforts to support new blocking technology, we couldn’t muster up the courage to do what consumers want most: Stop robocalls and do it for free," she said.
The FCC should monitor whether providers charge for call blocking features and update the rules if they do so, said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. He has added a stipulation to the ruling that if carriers do charge consumers for the features, new provisions can prohibit those charges, he said.
The regulations allow for legitimate callers to register a complaint if they feel robocall technologies have unfairly blocked their calls, Pai said. He expects phone companies should be able to have the features operational by the end of the year.
Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.

That's it for this time. Thank you all for visiting with us. Until next month,
every one please stay safe. Smile. Be happy. Show compassion. 
Be nice to others. Put a little love into your heart. 
Please speak up for those without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, 
elephant or monkey.  One person, one voice can make a difference. 
Read a book. Review it. Share it. Pass it along.

Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider 
fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. 
Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. 
Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. 
Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. 
All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. 
 
                                    Together, you and I can make a difference. If you like 
what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. 
Please feel free to share this post with others.
Regards,
S.J. Francis Writing is my passion, but animals are my world.
    In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family."  
Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line 
retailers and independent booksellers. 
    “Some secrets should remain that way.” 
    My web page: http://www.sjfranciswriter.com  
                                     Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419 

                               
 Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/SJ-Francis/480058115420325 
                  My writing Blog: http://sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com    
                          A Book Review 4 U: http://abookreview4u.blogspot.com  
                  A Consumer's View: http://aconsumersview.blogspot.com
                           


                 Google Plus:https://plus.google.com/u/0/104831238907682620486/about 
Good Reads:       https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33550975-s-j 
                                     
And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2018 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.                           
Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?