This’ll make you groan a bit.
Following last year’s findings as to how easy it was for outside parties to buy real-time location data of US wireless customers via lax carrier standards, it was noted that data was winding up in the hands of shady third-parties, and bounty hunters. Now, after what it described as an “extensive investigation,” the FCC has declared that “one or more wireless carriers apparently violated federal law.”
The finding was detailed in a letter sent from FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to the US House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Although the letter doesn’t specifics which carriers were in violation of federal law, Pai offered the following comments:
I am writing to follow up on my letter of December 3, 2019 regarding the status of the FCC’s investigation into the disclosure of consumers’ real-time location data. Fulfilling the commitment I made in that letter, I wish to inform you that the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has completed its extensive investigation and that it has concluded that one or more wireless carriers apparently violated federal law.
I am committed to ensuring that all entities subject to our jurisdiction comply with the Communications Act and the FCC’s rules, including those that protect consumers’ sensitive information, such as real-time location data. Accordingly, in the coming days, I intend to circulate to my fellow Commissioners for their consideration one or more Notice(s) of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in connection with the apparent violation(s).
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.