FCC Announces New Consumer Communications Information Services Threat (C-CIST)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at combating illegal schemes in the communications sector. This initiative, named the Consumer Communications Information Services Threat (C-CIST), seeks to publicly identify the most harmful threat actors involved in these illegal activities.

Introduction to C-CIST

The C-CIST initiative is designed to protect consumers and the integrity of communication networks by identifying and exposing entities that perpetuate illegal schemes. This proactive measure will involve collaboration with state, federal, and international law enforcement agencies, as well as industry stakeholders.

The First C-CIST: "Royal Tiger"

In its initial announcement, the FCC has identified a group referred to as "Royal Tiger" as the first C-CIST. This group includes the following individuals and companies:

• PZ Telecommunication LLC (US)
• Illum Telecommunication Limited (US)
• One Eye LLC (US)
• Illum Telecommunication Private Limited (Illum India)
• PZ Telecommunications (UK) LTD (PZ UK)
• UK Tell Ltd
• Opulix Digital Limited (Opulix UK)
• Opulix Digital Private Limited (Opulix India)
• Prince Jashvantlal Anand
• Kashal Bhavsar

The Threat Posed by Royal Tiger

According to the FCC, Royal Tiger has been transmitting illegal robocall traffic continuously, despite receiving multiple enforcement actions from the FCC's Enforcement Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other law enforcement partners. The persistent illegal activities of Royal Tiger have led the FCC to categorize them as a significant threat to communications information services.

Objectives of the C-CIST Initiative

The primary goal of the C-CIST initiative is to enhance awareness among law enforcement entities and industry stakeholders. By doing so, the FCC aims to support the implementation of more robust "Know Your Customer" (KYC) and "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) protocols. This will help in identifying and mitigating threats posed by such malicious actors more effectively.

Conclusion

The FCC's C-CIST initiative marks a significant step forward in the fight against illegal communications schemes. By publicly identifying and targeting groups like Royal Tiger, the FCC is taking a decisive stance to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of communication networks.

For more information, please refer to the FCC's official announcement https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-388A1.pdf.