Is it worth registering my number with the federal government (which presumably already has access to my information) to avoid spam calls? Does it work? Is there a downside?
And also, why does this sub require a URL to post a question? Like, what if my question was so truly stupid that there was no related website?
The registry only works for legitimate companies that are playing by the rules. That is to say that it does jack shit, at least for me
I get dozens of spam calls and texts a day, mostly political in nature but with some good loan scams mixed in for variety.
I think political calls are basically exempt from it, anyways.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/political-campaign-robocalls-and-robotexts-rules
“Prior consent” is basically moot if you ever donate to a y campaign, ever, because you have to provide a real phone number. Or if you sign a petition your party is running, or somehow end up having that party get your number some other legitimate way. They have no way to prove (or you to disprove) your consent.
I just treat them all as spam, and report/block accordingly.
iOS 26 gave people the built-in call screening, which has been amazing for weeding out garbage calls, at least. Text messages are a different evil, but there are apps you can use to trash text messages that contain specific words, etc.
What are those texting apps? I think the entire Democratic Party has sold my cellphone number to each other for fundraising and I want to not see any of it