House Commerce Committee Democratic Reps Request Update from FCC on Investigation of Unauthorized Real-Time Location Data Disclosures

Eleven House Commerce Committee Democratic Reps sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai expressing growing concern that the FCC is failing to protect consumers’ privacy by refusing to hold wireless carriers accountable for unauthorized disclosures of consumers’ real-time location data. Over a year ago, in May 2018, it was reported that major wireless carriers were selling consumers’ real-time location data to third-party data aggregators.  This location data was then easily purchased by other private companies, such as bounty hunters.  The selling of this data was done without the consent or knowledge of the affected customers. On several occasions, Committee members have made it clear that the FCC must act expeditiously to fulfill its obligation to protect consumers’ privacy interests and hold carriers accountable to the extent they have violated the FCC’s rules.  Yet, over a year later, the FCC is still dragging its feet and has failed to take any action to protect consumers’ privacy. Members of the subcommittee are requesting an update on the FCC’s investigation into the carriers’ disclosure of consumers’ real-time location data by Nov 29.