FCC Upgrades 988 Texts to Route Crises to Local Lifelines
Published Date: 9/16/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting soon, wireless and text providers must send general location info with 988 crisis texts to help connect people to the right local help faster. This change protects privacy by sharing only broad location data, not exact spots. It affects anyone texting 988 and helps crisis centers respond better without extra costs for texters.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Georouting for 988 Texts
If you text 988, covered text providers (including wireless carriers) must build the ability to send general location (georouting) information in a format compatible with the Lifeline platform. The Lifeline Administrator will use that general location to route covered 988 text messages to the appropriate local crisis center based on the texter's general location rather than the texter's area code.
Privacy-Protecting Location Data
The rule defines 'georouting data' as cell-based location data that is aggregated so it will not identify the precise location of the handset, only the general area where the text originated. This definition is meant to make local resources available while protecting the privacy of 988 texters by avoiding sharing exact locations.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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