Public Knowledge Defends Consumer Privacy in Set-top Box Data Complaint to FCC, FTC

Public Knowledge, along with Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Watchdog, Consumer Action, TURN - The Utility Reform Network, and Consumer Federation of America, filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to enforce the privacy laws and take action against Comcast, AT&T, and Cablevision. The groups also filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission alleging that the pervasive use of consumer data without opt-in consent amounts to an unfair and deceptive practice. (These two agencies work closely together on enforcement of consumer protection rules, and have shared jurisdiction over cable companies.)

The complaints outline a few of the common data practices employed by cable operators. Dallas Harris, Policy Fellow at Public Knowledge, said, "The cable industry has tried to play the FTC and the FCC against one another on privacy. As this filing shows, the more privacy cops on the beat, the better protected consumers will be. The FCC should ensure that cable operators get permission from customers before using their private data, and the FTC should ensure cable operators provide their customers with accurate information about how much information cable companies collect, and how they use it.”