Why Are Robocalls So Hard to Stop? (Plus: Kamala and the Gender Wars.)
Aug 2, 2024
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Derek is joined by Joshua Bercu, the executive director of Industry Traceback Group, to discuss the persistent nuisance of robocalls. They explore how the average American faces daily spam, the tactics scammers use, and the challenges of regulation. Joshua explains the evolution of robocall technology and the cooperation between the government and industry to combat this issue. The duo also delves into the dark role AI plays in facilitating scams, raising awareness about the threats posed by new technologies.
The evolving dynamics of the 2024 presidential election highlight a growing gender divide, significantly impacting voter preferences and party alignment.
Robocalls and spam texts pose a massive challenge, yet concerted efforts between industry and government are effectively reducing their frequency through innovative traceback methods.
Deep dives
2024 Election Dynamics
The current landscape of the 2024 presidential election reflects significant shifts, particularly with Kamala Harris emerging as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party. Polling indicates that Harris is performing better than Joe Biden, transforming what initially appeared to be a clear advantage for Trump into a competitive race. It is crucial to focus on key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, as these will largely determine the election outcome. While the media tends to fixate on various debates, understanding these state dynamics is paramount for grasping electoral trends.
Gender as a Polarizing Factor
The gender divide is increasingly prominent in the 2024 election, influencing voter behavior and party affiliation in unprecedented ways. Young male voters have been shifting towards the Republican Party, while young women and single women, especially under 30, continue to strongly align with Democratic ideals. Historical patterns reveal that the gender gap in voting behavior has been entrenched for decades, with men historically supporting Republicans and women gravitating towards Democrats. Experts indicate that understanding these gender-based attitudes is critical for interpreting the implications of this election cycle.
The Spam Call Crisis
Robocalls and spam texts have become an overwhelming issue, with Americans reportedly receiving billions annually, leading to significant financial losses. Technological advancements have enabled spammers to employ tactics like neighbor spoofing, making robocalls appear more legitimate. Despite the rise in spam, there has been notable progress in combating these nuisances, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting a substantial decrease in complaints over the past few years. Collaborative efforts between industry and government are key to tracking down illegal robocall sources, effectively diminishing the volume of spam calls.
Tracing Robocalls and Future Projections
Tracing the origins of robocalls involves complex systems that resemble supply chains, allowing for the identification of illegal spam operations. Continued efforts have shown significant success in addressing specific categories of robocalls, such as those related to car warranties and student loans, where complaints have drastically dropped. However, as these spam efforts have shifted to text messages, the challenge remains to implement effective strategies for dealing with this new wave. The integration of AI in robocalls poses additional concerns, but effective traceback methods continue to prove vital in mitigating these risks.
Derek offers his thoughts on Kamala Harris, the new 2024 reality, and gender polarization in the "boys vs. girls" election. Then we talk about the spam apocalypse. The average American receives one spam call or text every single day, adding up to tens of billions of robocalls and texts per year. Derek welcomes Joshua Bercu, the executive director of Industry Traceback Group, to talk about the history and technology behind robocalls and texts, why it’s been so hard to hold robocallers accountable, how spammers do that thing where they make a call look like it’s coming from a local friend, how we've managed to crush certain kinds of robocalls, and what it would take to finally win the war on spam.
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