Chairman Pallone Statement on Chairman Pai's Refusal to Brief Commerce Committee on Unauthorized Disclosure of Real-Time Location Data

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai refused to brief House Commerce Committee staff on why the FCC has yet to end wireless carriers’ unauthorized disclosure of consumers’ real-time location data and what actions the FCC has taken to address the issue to date.

Today, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai refused to brief Energy and Commerce Committee staff on the real-time tracking of cell phone location, as reported by Motherboard last week. In a phone conversation today, his staff asserted that these egregious actions are not a threat to the safety of human life or property that the FCC will address during the Trump shutdown. The safety of first responders and consumers should be a top priority for the Chairman and the FCC. Commissioner Rosenworcel was available for a briefing but, as a minority member of the FCC, she does not have the authority to direct resources at the Commission. There’s nothing in the law that should stop the Chairman personally from meeting about this serious threat that could allow criminals to track the location of police officers on patrol, victims of domestic abuse, or foreign adversaries to track military personnel on American soil.  The Committee will continue to press the FCC to prioritize public safety, national security, and protecting consumers.