FTC Chairwoman Ramirez: Set-Top Plan To Include Device Privacy Pledge

Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez says she has assurances that as part of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler's set-top rule plan, device makers will be held to the same privacy requirements the FCC can impose on Internet service providers. That came in an FTC oversight hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee.

Sen Jerry Moran (R-KS) pointed out that the FCC did not have jurisdiction over device manufacturers and had said the FTC would be able to enforce device privacy on the third parties beyond the FCC's reach. The FCC does not have authority over edge providers or device makers. Sen Moran pointed out that Chairman Wheeler had told the committee that he had worked with the FTC in writing the set-top rules and that they would require manufacturers to comply with privacy rules that the FTC could enforce. He wanted confirmation of that. Chairwoman Ramirez pointed out that in comments to the FCC on the set-top proposal, it had recommended that those third parties be required to make a "consumer-facing statement" pledge that they would comply with the same privacy rules the FCC can impose on cable companies, which would allow the FTC to take action where necessary. That is because the FTC can go after violations of that pledge under its authority over unfair and deceptive practices. Chairwoman Ramirez said Chairman Wheeler had indeed indicated his intent to make such a pledge a part of the rules.