Yes, this. The backtrack chain of accountability has to apply to each telco transiting a given call. We can argue about how much that penalty should be (I'd p

Yes, this. The backtrack chain of accountability has to apply to each telco transiting a given call. We can argue about how much that penalty should be (I'd prefer a heftier one), and details over how to address abuse and whatnot. I'd detailed a version of this a few days ago here: <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49129679 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49129679>. California has (recently?) introduced a bonding requirement of telemarketers. I'd like to see a far stiffer bonding obligation to telecoms providers, probably in the deca-to-mega millions amounts. As that's bonding, the rate is based on risk (business assessment plus history), and would likely be a small fraction of the total amount for legitimate providers, but would be substantial for bad-actors, and the Surety (bond provider) would be strongly incentivised to limit their risk through bad behaviour on the part of the Principal (bonded entity).