Rosenworcel Sounds Alarm on Fake Comments, Seeks Agency Investigation, Actions
The FCC and other agencies must improve public comment processes being undermined by mass fake submissions and stolen identities, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said at a New America event Wednesday. The net neutrality proceeding had half a million comments from Russian…
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email addresses, almost 8 million nearly identical comments from email domains associated with FakeMailGenerator.com and a million comments "using mail merge techniques designed to falsely make them appear like unique submissions," she said, according to written remarks. "Fake comments and stolen identities are pouring into proceedings across Washington." The FCC's "internet systems are ill-equipped to handle the mass automation and fraud that already is corrupting channels for public comment," she said. "It’s only going to get worse. The mechanization and weaponization of the comment-filing process has only just begun. We need to do something." She said the FCC failed to work with state authorities that found residents had their identities stolen. "We should be asking how did this happen? Who orchestrated it? Who paid for it? We should be investigating -- and the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation should be involved," she said. "Every agency should consider simple security measures -- like CAPTCHA or two-factor authentication -- that can enhance security without decreasing public participation."