The solution to this problem doesn't have to be complex at all. Conceptually (meaning, all details are not covered here): - The caller/message-sender pays a

The solution to this problem doesn't have to be complex at all. Conceptually (meaning, all details are not covered here): - The caller/message-sender pays a per-call fee - For example, $1.00 flat fee - If the caller is in your address book, the charge is $0 - If you call them back, the charge is $0 - If you approve the caller, the charge is $0 - The person receiving the call earns a portion of the fee (30% ?) - Etc. If implemented correctly, on average, no legitimate caller pays this extra per-call or per-message fee. Machine learning could be used to augment effectiveness and reduce or eliminate fees when two people or entities know each other. For example, a company receives tons of customer service calls. Most callers might be unknown to the company (think Amazon customer service). There has to be a mechanism through which callers don't get stuck with a $1 fee just for calling to get support. This is where a detailed design of this type of a solution would be necessary. What this does do, I think, is create a situation where it would (should) cost spammers millions of dollars to reach millions of people with unwanted calls or messages. Another element of this is that consumers would make money from these stupid calls or texts. They should. If someone wants to consume somebody else's time, they should pay for it. Which brings-up another twist to this idea: Maybe people should be able to set a rate for unsolicited calls or messages. I could, for example, set my rate to $10 per minute and a 15 minute minimum. If you call me and I don't know you, the cost to talk to me or leave a message is a minimum of $150. If I call you back, the charge is negated. I can also tell the system not to charge you. Etc. Upon making a call, the caller hears: "This number charges a $150 for anonymous calls. Press 1 to accept." If it is a message, they receive a reply: "This number charges a $150 for anonymous messages. Reply YES to accept." The receiver gets a pop-up that might say: "Unknown caller: <insert name or number>." "Accept and charge $150 fee" "Accept and charge $0" "Cancel" Details would have to be worked out, of course. There are lots of ways to implement something like this such that legitimate callers are not charged any fees. Legislation and a technical infrastructure would be required to drive such a system. The reason this nonsense persists is because the cost is low and potential return on investment is high. If that equation is flipped, the nonsense stops.