The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number • Hacker News Board

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#21

Post by 2ndorderthought » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC

han1 wrote: post #14

big85 wrote: post #13

This is part of the same trend which requires ID to use social media, view adult content, or log into their own computer. The goal is to give government control of computers and communications.

China has had the requirement to "bind" online accounts to ID for almost a decade. No one complained because they already verified with Weixin (WeChat) so they just linked their accounts to it.

America, all the crumbling industries and oligarchs of Russia, all the domestic surveillance of China, none of the healthcare of other developed countries, and more guns then any other nation.

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#22

Post by smcleod » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC

This is the way it works in Australia. I wasn't a huge fan of having to prove who I am and have my identity related to be able to txt and make phone calls or use mobile internet when I moved here.

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#23

Post by panny » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC

Lonestar1440 wrote: post #10

Privacy has to be one goal among many in a reasonable society. I am very glad to see this change, because phone-based Fraud is a plague on the Elderly and other vulnerable members of society. And an incredible annoyance even to a security conscious professional. The guard against intrusive and oppressive government is the Bill of Rights, not some easy ability to get a phone number anonymously.

Okay, but you're telling me kids that don't have a government ID can't have phones now, right?

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#24

Post by delish » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC

The difference between say a think tank and an advocacy organization like "reclaimthenet.org" is a think tank hopefully feels obligated to think about, and pitch, a solution to the identified problem (spam calls).

Obviously reclaimthenet.org can post whatever they want on their site.

I'm curious about requiring all phone calls except to emergency services to cost a tenth of a cent. Or some amount that permits desired robocalling (prescription drug reminders for those not on the 'net) and excises spam calls.

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#25

Post by 2ndorderthought » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:14 PM UTC

airstrike wrote: post #12

axus wrote: post #8

Instead of forcing people and businesses to do all the work, how about the government does all the work and manages the data, and lets people opt-in to the system.

you trust the government to manage the data?

Not this administration. That said sam altman, Elon musk, mark Zuckerberg, and Alex karp, etc are this administration. So either way we are boned.

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#26

Post by trollbridge » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:15 PM UTC

panny wrote: post #23

Lonestar1440 wrote: post #10

Privacy has to be one goal among many in a reasonable society. I am very glad to see this change, because phone-based Fraud is a plague on the Elderly and other vulnerable members of society. And an incredible annoyance even to a security conscious professional. The guard against intrusive and oppressive government is the Bill of Rights, not some easy ability to get a phone number anonymously.

Okay, but you're telling me kids that don't have a government ID can't have phones now, right?

Kids can get government IDs. In my state, it's free for anyone under the age of 17. It's also free for anyone who can provide adequate proof they can't afford the $15.

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#27

Post by trollbridge » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:17 PM UTC

varispeed wrote: post #2

Domestic abusers rejoice. Just hide the victim's ID and they won't get a phone.

My state has laws specifically about this which help DV victims replace stolen wallets, birth certificates, IDs, and so on.

Whether we like it or not, ID is required to function in society these days. The public has, in general, decided they don't like the alternatives, and I would count myself among those who would prefer to have working phone service again without endless junk calls versus the hypothetical ability to go get a phone without ID.

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#28

Post by taylodl » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:18 PM UTC

Since numbers can be spoofed what problem is this actually solving? None?

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#29

Post by vednig » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:18 PM UTC

every thing happening right now in privacy space including OS level ID verification, then websites requiring ID and now this is strangely alarming

right to privacy and speech will soon be very limited in aspects only relating and possible offline and very soon there will be nothing one can do about that

Re: The FCC wants your ID before you get a phone number

#30

Post by declan_roberts » Sat, May 09, 2026, 3:21 PM UTC

You know the FCC is going to do this and still be completely unable to stop spam calls. You're going to get all of the drawbacks and none of the benefits.