Wireless 411 Privacy Act

Bill: 108-s-1963
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]
Introduced: 2003-11-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Affiliated corporations
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Contracts
Data banks
Directories
Fees
Identification devices
Right of privacy
Telecommunication industry
Wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2003-11-25
text: 
Wireless 411 Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a provider of commercial mobile services, or any affiliate or agent of such provider (provider), from including the wireless telephone number of any current subscriber in any wireless directory assistance service (WDAS) database unless the provider: (1) provides a conspicuous, separate notice to the subscriber of the right not be listed in any WDAS; and (2) obtains express prior listing authorization from such subscriber, and that authorization has not been withdrawn.
 
Allows a provider to include the wireless telephone information of any new subscriber in a WDAS only if the provider provides: (1) a conspicuous, separate notice to the subscriber, at the time of entering into a service agreement and at least once a year thereafter, of the right not to be listed in any WDAS; and (2) the subscriber with convenient mechanisms to decline or refuse to participate in any WDAS.
 
Allows a provider to connect a calling party from a WDAS to a commercial mobile service subscriber only if: (1) the subscriber is provided prior notice of the calling party's identity and is permitted to accept or reject each call; (2) the subscriber's wireless telephone number information is not disclosed to the calling party; and (3) the subscriber is not an unlisted commercial mobile service subscriber.
 
Prohibits a provider from charging a subscriber for the exercise of any rights under this Act.

action_date: 2004-11-19
text: 
Wireless 411 Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit a provider of commercial mobile services, or any affiliate or agent of such provider (provider), from including the wireless telephone number (wireless number) of any subscriber in any wireless directory assistance service (WDAS) database unless the provider: (1) provides a conspicuous, separate notice to the subscriber of the right not be listed in any WDAS; and (2) obtains express prior listing authorization from such subscriber, and that authorization has not been withdrawn.
 
Requires a provider to remove the wireless number of any subscriber from a WDAS upon request of that subscriber and without subscriber cost.
 
Prohibits a telecommunications carrier from disclosing in billing information provided to customers wireless numbers of subscribers who have indicated a preference to their provider for not having their wireless number disclosed.
 
Prohibits a provider from publishing (listing) in any form, selling, or otherwise distributing the contents of any WDAS database unless the provider: (1) notifies the subscriber of the right not to be listed; and (2) obtains express prior authorization for listing from such subscriber, and that authorization has not been withdrawn.
 
Prohibits a provider from charging a subscriber for the exercise of any rights under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: By Senator McCain from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 108-423. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2004-12-07
text: By Senator McCain from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 108-423. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 810.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2004-09-22
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2004-09-21
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-956.
action_date: 2003-11-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S16005-16006)
action_date: 2003-11-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S16004-16005)
action_date: 2003-11-25
text: Introduced in Senate