Chairwoman Rosenworcel Archive: Privacy and Data Protection Task Force

 

 

Chairwoman Rosenworcel created the FCC’s Privacy and Data Protection Task Force, led by the Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, to coordinate across the agency on the rulemaking, enforcement, and public awareness needs in the privacy and data protection sectors, including data breaches (such as those involving telecommunications providers) and vulnerabilities involving third-party vendors that service regulated communications providers.

The always-on nature of connectivity in our culture made the communications industry a lynchpin of society and critical infrastructure. Consumers entrusted their personal information to the regulated communications industry daily, and the FCC had an important role to play in ensuring consumers enjoyed the data privacy they both demanded and deserved. For example, the FCC led investigations into the use of customer location data that impacted consumers’ privacy, oversight of vendors’ retention and the protection of sensitive data, and protecting against the exploitation of network and software vulnerabilities that resulted in cyber intrusions.

“We live in an era of always-on connectivity. Connection is no longer just convenient. It fuels every aspect of modern civic and commercial life. To address the security challenges of this reality head-on, we must protect consumers’ information and ensure data security. The FCC has an important role to play ensuring the privacy of consumer communications and this team of FCC experts will lead these efforts to protect consumer privacy.”
– FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

To address problems that eroded the public’s trust in data protection required a whole-of-government and public-private approach, including:

  • Telecom carrier, interconnected VoIP, cable, and satellite provider responsibilities for privacy and data protection;
  • The important connection between privacy and data protection and supply chain integrity;
  • Supply chain vulnerabilities;
  • The consequences of a breach in the supply chain (both to consumer privacy and entities that did not take reasonable steps to protect consumer information); and
  • Potential risks to national security through compromised supply chains.

A Top Priority

Privacy and data protection were critical to all Americans. When consumer information was exposed (whether through outside attack, insider malfeasance, or company negligence), that information could be used for myriad harmful purposes. For instance, illegal robocalls and scam texting schemes could use stolen and harvested sensitive information to target and trick consumers. Notably, consumers were sharing ever-increasing information – including highly personal information – with communications providers: 97% of Americans had a mobile phone, and they carried that device with them nearly everywhere. Thus, it was crucial that the regulated communications sector lived up to their privacy and data protection obligations.

FCC Action

The FCC under Chairwoman Rosenworcel implemented policies and took actions to help protect Americans’ data and privacy. The agency launched rulemakings, took enforcement actions, warned providers of their responsibilities, and more.

Other Actions

Updated:
Thursday, January 16, 2025