FCC Wants 988 Texts to Auto-Route to Local Lifesavers Faster
Published Date: 3/4/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC is working to make sure that when someone texts the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, their message gets sent to the right local help center using location info. This change affects text service providers and aims to protect privacy while saving lives. Comments are open now to help shape these important rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Text Providers Must Support Georouting
The FCC proposes requiring covered text service providers to support georouting so that 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline text messages can be routed to the right local crisis centers. This rule would apply to covered text providers and is intended to make sure local responders get the message when someone texts 988.
Privacy Rules for 988 Location Data
The FCC is seeking targeted comment on potential privacy issues from using location information to georoute 988 text messages. The agency aims to protect privacy while allowing local routing of 988 texts to crisis centers.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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