Attorney General Brown urges federal authorities to regulate robocalls, texts generated using artificial intelligence technology

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 26 states in sending a letter (PDF) to the Federal Communications Commission emphasizing the potential for harm when telemarketers use artificial intelligence and asking the FCC to strongly restrict such usage. In November 2023, the FCC posted a Notice of Inquiry, requesting input on the use of A.I. […]

FEMA, FCC plan nationwide Emergency Alert Test in October

WASHINGTON—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 4, […]

Maryland joins nationwide enforcement sweep to stem tide of illegal telemarketing calls to consumers

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, along with the Federal Trade Commission and other law enforcement partners nationwide – including Attorneys General from all 50 states and the District of Columbia – announced a new crackdown on illegal telemarketing targeting operations responsible for billions of calls to U.S. consumers. The joint state and federal “Operation Stop Scam Calls” initiative […]

Governor Moore launches Maryland ActNow campaign to close digital divide

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week launched the Maryland ActNow campaign in partnership with EducationSuperHighway, to further close the digital divide by extending broadband internet access to all Marylanders and making it more affordable. The governor was joined by U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves, state and local officials, and leadership from non-profit EducationSuperHighway to illustrate the campaign […]

Attorney General Frosh urges FCC to stop international scam calls

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh this week urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to put in place measures that will help stem the tide of foreign-based illegal robocalls that attempt to scam Americans. “Americans are sick and tired of spoofed phone calls and illegal robocalls, of not being able to trust their Caller ID, and of being scammed […]

Intentional balloon releases banned in Maryland as of October 1

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland Department of Natural Resources on Friday reminded Maryland residents that a new state law prohibiting intentional balloon releases goes into effect on October 1st. The new Maryland law bans the releasing of balloons that, upon landing, create litter and threaten the health and safety of animals on the land in the […]

FEMA to conduct test of Emergency Alert System next week

NOTTINGHAM, MD—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) next week. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 11th. The Wireless […]

Attorney General Frosh urges FCC to increase internet access during COVID-19 pandemic

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh this week joined 30 attorneys general in urging the Federal Communications Commission to fund internet connectivity and internet-enabled devices to K-12 students attending school remotely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This month, the FCC asked for comment on petitions urging the commission to temporarily waive some restrictions on its E-Rate program. Specifically, […]