Robocalls are the phone version of stepping on a Lego barefoot. You know the pain. Your phone buzzes during dinner, during a meeting or right when you finally sit down. Then a fake bank alert, Medicare scam or “urgent” car warranty pitch tries to hijack your day.

So when the Federal Communications Commission says it wants to crack down on illegal robocalls, most people will probably say, “Finally.”

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a recent press release, “We must bring meaningful robocall relief to consumers.” A few days later, the FCC said stopping illegal calls remains its top consumer protection priority.

The agency has reason to be aggressive. Late last year, a report from the consumer advocacy group U.S. PIRG Education Fund found that Americans had received 2.14 billion robocalls per month in 2024. That works out to only a handful per person on average, but robocalls do not hit everyone evenly. Some Americans can get hit with dozens of spam calls in a single day.

Still, the FCC’s proposed fix raises a new question. Could the fight against robocalls also make it harder to get a phone without having to hand over more personal information?

 Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

• Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
• For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
• Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.  

FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE

What the FCC robocall rules would change

Last month, the FCC voted to seek public comment on stronger “Know Your Customer” rules for voice service providers. These rules are not final yet. The FCC is still gathering feedback, including privacy concerns. Under the proposal, phone providers may have to collect more information from new and renewing customers before giving them access to service. That could include a full legal name, physical address, government ID and an existing phone number.

For higher-volume customers, the FCC is also looking at additional checks. Providers may need to review how the customer plans to use the service and whether other details look suspicious. The goal is to stop bad actors before they can flood phone networks with illegal calls. 

That sounds reasonable when you picture a scam call center blasting thousands of fake alerts. However, the privacy concern starts when you think about everyday people who rely on prepaid phones, temporary numbers or more private ways to communicate.

Why burner phones could be affected by the FCC proposal

Burner phones have a shady reputation because TV shows love to put them in the hands of criminals. In real life, though, prepaid phones can serve people who need flexibility or safety. Someone leaving an abusive relationship may need a phone that isn’t connected to a shared family account.  A person without stable housing may not have a traditional physical address. A journalist source, whistleblower or privacy-conscious consumer may also prefer a phone number that isn’t tied to every part of their identity.

Civil liberties advocates warn that the FCC proposal could create a broader identity-verification system around one of the last semi-anonymous communication tools available to ordinary Americans. 

That does not mean the FCC is trying to ban burner phones outright. Still, if phone providers must collect more identity details before activating or renewing service, anonymous or semi-anonymous phone access could become much harder to get.

INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU

FCC robocall red flags that could trigger scrutiny

The FCC proposal also discusses risk-based checks. That means certain customer details or behaviors could trigger a deeper review.

Possible red flags may reportedly include using a virtual office, using certain commercial addresses, operating a suspicious website or using an email address that raises concerns.

Other red flags could include not being traceable to the state listed in the customer’s address or paying for phone service with cryptocurrency.

That may help carriers spot scam operations. But it also raises a tricky question. What happens when a legitimate person gets flagged because their life does not fit neatly into a standard form?

A person using a shelter address, mail service or privacy-focused payment method could face more questions. The rules may be aimed at robocallers, yet the burden could land on people who already have a hard time proving who they are.

Why phone companies may get strict fast

The proposed enforcement system could put serious pressure on telecom providers. The FCC proposal reportedly includes a possible $2,500 per-call base forfeiture for Know Your Customer violations.

That is a big incentive for providers to be careful. It may also make them overcorrect. If a provider thinks a customer looks risky, it may decide that denying service is safer than getting blamed later. For consumers, that could mean more ID checks, more account reviews and more hoops to jump through when signing up for phone service.

The FCC argues that, as the gateway to the phone network, carriers are in the best position to stop scammers before calls go out. The concern is whether that gate becomes too hard for ordinary people to pass through.

What the FCC robocall proposal means to you

For now, nothing changes overnight. These rules are still proposed. The FCC is asking for public comment, and any final rules would come later.

Still, this proposal points to where phone service may be heading. Carriers may collect more identity information. Prepaid service may become less private. Some customers may face more questions when they open or renew an account.

That could bring fewer scam calls. It could also mean less anonymity for people who have legitimate reasons to keep a phone number separate from the rest of their life.

ANDROID SECURITY UPGRADES OUTSMART SCAMS AND PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY

Tips to stay safe from robocalls

You do not need to wait for regulators to act. You can lower your risk right now.

1) Let unknown calls go to voicemail

If you do not recognize the number, let it ring. Scammers often rely on panic. A real caller can leave a message.

2) Turn on your phone’s spam protection

On iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Phone. Look for Screen Unknown Callers and choose Ask Reason for Calling. This screens calls from unsaved numbers before your phone rings, so you can decide whether to answer.

If spam calls are overwhelming, you can choose Silence instead. Just be aware that calls from people not in your contacts may go straight to voicemail. That could include a doctor’s office, school, delivery driver or other legitimate caller.

You can also check Call Filtering and turn on available carrier spam-filtering options. For example, AT&T may show a Spam toggle that says calls identified as spam or fraud will be silenced, sent to voicemail and moved to the spam list. Other carriers may use different wording or place this option in a carrier app.

On a Samsung phone, open the Phone app > tap the three dots in the upper-right corner > Settings > Caller ID and spam protection > turn on Caller ID and spam protection. Then tap Block spam and scam calls and choose the blocking level that works best for you, such as blocking all spam and scam calls or only high-risk scam calls. Menu wording may vary by carrier, region and whether your phone uses Samsung Phone or Phone by Google.

3) Use your carrier’s call-blocking tools

AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and other carriers offer spam call blocking features. Some are free, while others require a paid plan. Check your carrier app for call protection settings.

4) Use a data removal service

Scammers can pull your phone number, address and other personal details from data broker and people-search sites. That information can make robocalls sound more believable. A data removal service can help remove your personal information from many of these sites, and keep checking if it shows up again. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan at CyberGuy.com/FreeScan 

5) Do not press buttons during a scam call

A robocall may tell you to press a number to stop future calls. That can confirm your number is active. Hang up instead.

6) Never give out codes or account details

A scammer may pretend to be your bank, carrier or a government agency. Do not share one-time passcodes, Social Security numbers or payment details over an unexpected call.

7) Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

Register your number for free with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. The registry will not stop criminals, but it can reduce legitimate telemarketing calls. That makes scam calls easier to spot.

8) Report suspicious calls

You can report unwanted calls at donotcall.gov/report.html or file a complaint with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us. Reports help regulators track patterns and target bad actors.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: CyberGuy.com

Kurt’s key takeaways

Robocalls are more than annoying. They waste time, steal money and make people think twice before answering their own phones. So yes, stronger action is needed. But privacy has to be part of the conversation. The FCC’s proposal is aimed at scam call operations, but the final rules should not make it harder for everyday people to get a private or low-cost phone when they need one. That’s the balance regulators have to get right. They need to make life harder for robocallers without turning every phone customer into a suspect. Phone service connects people to jobs, doctors, family, schools and emergency help. Any crackdown should protect that access while still going after the bad actors abusing the system.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Would you be willing to show more ID to get phone service if it meant fewer robocalls, or does that feel like too much privacy to give up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com

 Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

• Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
• For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
• Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. 

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

After Sony drew some unwanted attention for a post demonstrating its AI Camera Assistant on the Xperia 1 XIII, it’s trying to clarify how the feature works. The company says it doesn’t edit photos, but makes suggestions based on lighting, depth, and subject. Point the camera at something, and it will give you four options for changing exposure, color, and background blur.

In its product video, Sony says that the AI Camera Assistant will also suggest “the most photogenic angle.” Though the clip only shows it suggesting that someone zoom in, which is not the same as suggesting a camera angle.

The examples that Sony posted on X, while better than those it posted on May 14th, are still pretty terrible. They’re not as washed out as the sandwich or as over-exposed as the portrait in the meadow. But each suggestion in the grid below has serious issues and looks worse than the original. Suggestion one is way too saturated, two is flat and over-processed, three makes it look like the food is Photoshopped into the frame, and the contrast in four is cranked way too high.

If you’re using an Xperia 1 XIII, your best bet is probably to ignore the AI Camera Assistant’s suggestions for now.

You pull into a Home Depot or Lowe’s parking lot to grab mulch, paint or a new patio chair. You probably expect security cameras near the entrance. What you may not expect is a camera that captures your license plate as you drive in or out.

That is now reportedly happening at some Home Depot and Lowe’s stores in Connecticut. The cameras are automated license plate readers, also known as ALPRs. They photograph the back of a vehicle, record the plate number and log details such as time and location.

Retailers say the systems help prevent theft and protect customers and employees. Police say the cameras can help solve crimes. However, privacy advocates worry that shoppers may have little idea when their plate is being scanned or who can later search that data.

 Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

• Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
• For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
• Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.   

WASHINGTON COURT SAYS FLOCK CAMERA IMAGES ARE PUBLIC RECORDS

What are license plate cameras?

Automated license plate readers use cameras and software to capture plate numbers from passing vehicles. Police departments often use them on roads to look for stolen cars, missing vehicles or suspects tied to active investigations.

Now, similar systems are showing up in retail parking lots. In Connecticut, Flock Safety cameras have been installed at some Home Depot and Lowe’s locations.  Flock Safety’s license plate reader technology captures vehicle information, including license plates and vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color on the property. The company said its system does not use facial recognition.

That means a quick trip to Home Depot or Lowe’s could create a searchable data point tied to your vehicle. Also, more than two dozen police departments in the state use automated plate readers.    

Why are stores using license plate readers?

Home Depot and Lowe’s say the cameras are used for security, theft prevention and public safety.

In a statement to CyberGuy, a Home Depot spokesperson said, “We’ve had parking area security cameras in place at our stores for many years, as many retailers do. These cameras are used solely as a security measure to prevent theft and protect the safety of our customers and associates in our stores. We do not grant access to our license plate readers to federal law enforcement.” Home Depot also points customers to its usage policy posted on its website.

Home Depot’s statement addresses federal law enforcement access, but questions remain about how local or out-of-state police requests are handled.

Lowe’s privacy policy says personal information collected through ALPRs may be used to help ensure security, prevent theft and fraud, assist with parking enforcement and help keep people and property safe.

That may sound reasonable, especially with organized retail theft making headlines. Still, the bigger question is what happens after your plate gets scanned.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Can police access store license plate data?

Yes, in some cases. Police officials say law enforcement can access data from Lowe’s and Home Depot license plate cameras in Connecticut. Some local departments have also entered into written agreements with retailers to receive automatic or continuous access to cameras at certain stores.

When Flock Safety cameras are deployed by private businesses, the data is owned and controlled by the business or organization using the system. The company says data sharing is off by default, and any decision to share data requires an active choice by the data owner. Flock also says every search is permanently logged in an immutable audit trail. That means police access isn’t simply automatic through Flock. It depends on whether the business chooses to share access, how that access is granted and which agencies are approved.

That is where the privacy debate gets tricky. Connecticut recently passed new rules for police use of automated license plate readers. The law limits how police can share plate data with out-of-state agencies, adds data retention rules and prohibits use of the systems for immigration enforcement.

MICROSOFT CROSSES PRIVACY LINE FEW EXPECTED

However, the law focuses on public agencies. It does not directly address private companies that use similar cameras in their parking lots. That means a police-owned camera on a road may face one set of rules, while a retailer-owned camera in a store parking lot may fall into a murkier category. Private retailers also do not have the same public disclosure requirements as police departments. 

So shoppers may not know which local or out-of-state agencies have access, how often police search the data or what happens when requests cross state lines. That’s the bigger concern. The issue isn’t only that your plate may be scanned. It is that the rules may depend on who owns the camera.   

How to protect your privacy around license plate cameras

You cannot fully stop a camera from seeing your license plate when you drive in public. However, you can take a few practical steps.

Look for posted notices

Check for signs near parking lot entrances or store exits. Some retailers may disclose the use of license plate readers on signs, store websites or privacy policies.

Read the store’s privacy policy

Search the retailer’s privacy policy for phrases such as “automated license plate reader,” “ALPR,” “vehicle information,” or “license plate.” That can help you understand what data the company says it collects and why.

Ask how your plate data is used

Contact customer service if you want clearer answers. Ask how long the company keeps license plate data, which agencies can access it and how requests from law enforcement are reviewed. Flock Safety data is automatically deleted after 30 days by default. Shoppers can still ask whether a retailer uses the default setting or a different retention policy.

Watch what lawmakers do next

Pay attention to local and state rules. More states are looking closely at license plate reader data, but private use may still fall behind police regulation.

Why this debate is only getting bigger

Retailers want tools that help stop theft. Police want information that can help with investigations. Those goals are not hard to understand.

The problem is transparency. People should know when their movements are being logged, how long that data lasts and who can search it later.

License plate readers are spreading because they are useful. However, useful technology still needs clear rules. Without them, a simple shopping trip can become another piece of location data sitting in a database most people never knew existed.

What this means for you

This does not mean you need to avoid Home Depot or Lowe’s. It does mean some retail parking lots may collect more information than you realize. Your license plate is already visible in public. But automated scanning changes the equation. A person spotting your plate in a parking lot is one thing. A searchable database that logs when and where your vehicle appeared is very different. The concern comes down to control and transparency.

The rules can vary depending on who owns the camera, who manages the data and who gets access. A local police camera may face public reporting rules. A private retailer’s system can still leave shoppers with questions about which agencies received access and how those decisions were made.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaways

License plate cameras at stores create a privacy tradeoff that none of us signed up for. On one hand, stores want to stop theft and keep parking lots safer. That makes sense. On the other hand, you may not expect your license plate to be logged just because you ran in for mulch, batteries or a new drill bit. That is why transparency is so important. If private companies are collecting this kind of data and police can access it, you deserve to know how long it is kept, who can search it and what rules are in place. Security can be useful, but it should not come with a guessing game about where your information goes next.

Would you still shop at a store if you knew your license plate was being scanned and potentially shared with police? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

• Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
• For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
• Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.