The FCC is considering new requirements that would mandate identification for prepaid phone users, potentially ending anonymous purchases of burner phones. The proposal asks carriers to collect government IDs, verify customer information through databases, and retain records for four years after service ends.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence warned that such rules could endanger survivors who rely on privacy to escape abusive situations. Many victims live in shelters, hotels, or temporary housing and cannot safely disclose their addresses. They often depend on address confidentiality programs that provide substitute legal addresses and mail-forwarding services.

Privacy advocates argue the plan sacrifices broad privacy protections to combat robocalls. Eric Null of the Center for Democracy & Technology noted the proposal forces every wireless subscriber to give up personal details, harming journalists, whistleblowers, and abuse survivors who need anonymity. Similar concerns were raised by leading civil liberties organizations.

The FCC faces a difficult balance between fraud prevention and protecting vulnerable populations. This proposal threatens to undermine critical safety measures that domestic violence survivors use to maintain their security while pursuing legitimate wireless service.