Published: October 2020

Privacy advocates urge U.S. FCC to protect privacy during pandemic

Consumer Action joined in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to uphold privacy protections during the pandemic. The agency is attempting to remove the Customer Proprietary Network Information certification requirement, which is the easiest and most straightforward way to hold wireless and telephone companies accountable for violating their customers’ privacy. The COVID-19 crisis has made telecom privacy protections even more essential as people are more reliant than ever on their phones. It would be highly inappropriate for the FCC to eliminate or weaken these valuable protections during the pandemic.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) protects the privacy of wireless and telephone customers through its regulations covering Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI). CPNI includes such personal information as who you call, for how long, and your location. The FCC requires that an officer at wireless and telephone providers, like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, to certify that the company complies with the CPNI privacy requirements, including that they seek customer consent before using data for non-service-related purposes. The agency is now trying to remove the CPNI certification requirement, which is the easiest and most straightforward way to hold companies accountable for violating their customers’ privacy.

Advocates are pushing back and warn that consumers are more reliant than ever on their phones due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home requirements. With no clear end to the pandemic in sight, now is not the time for the FCC to be reducing the safety measures of telecommunication technology.  

 

Lead Organization

Access Now

Other Organizations

Access Now | Center for Digital Democracy | Consumer Action | Consumer Federation of America | Consumer Reports | Electronic Privacy Information Center | Free Press | Media Alliance | New America's Open Technology Institute | Privacy Rights Clearinghouse | Public Knowledge | Stop Online Violence Against Women

More Information

Click here to read the letter in full.

To learn more, please visit Access Now.

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