FCC launches data privacy task force

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FCC data privacy task force overview: 

• Who: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is introducing a new privacy and data protection task force.
• Why: The task force will support the FCC’s efforts to protect consumer data online.
• Where: The FCC data privacy task force will operate in the U.S.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is introducing a new privacy and data protection task force to support the agency’s efforts to protect consumer data online.

The FCC Privacy and Data Protection Task Force was introduced on the FCC website on June 14. 

The task force is a new staff working group created by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the notice says. Led by the Chief of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, the task force is set to coordinate across the agency on the rulemaking, enforcement, and public awareness needs in the privacy and data protection sectors.

This includes data breaches and vulnerabilities involving third-party vendors that service regulated communications providers, the notice says. 

Consumers entrust their personal information to the regulated communications industry on a daily basis, and the FCC has an important role to play in ensuring consumers’ data is protected, it said.

Through the task force, the FCC will continue to look into mobile carriers’ geolocation data practices, it said. In August 2022, the agency shared data retention and privacy information from 15 of the United States’ top mobile carriers with the public. 

The FCC will also continue investigations into the use of customer location data that impact consumers’ privacy, oversight of vendors’ retention and the protection of sensitive data, as well as protecting against the exploitation of network and software vulnerabilities that result in cyber intrusions, it said. 

Technical and legal experts brought together to address risks

In remarks before the Center for Democracy and Technology on June 14, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel added that the new Privacy and Data Protection Task Force would bring the agency’s technical and legal experts together to address other issues such as SIM-swapping fraud, Law360 reports.

“We need to look for every way to increase consumer trust and confidence because if we do, we can ensure the benefits of this new digital world do more than just exceed its burdens; we can make communications private, safe, and secure,” she said. 

Meanwhile, in March The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its first fines levied under the Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement (PIRATE) Act, which grants the agency more power to curb illegal radio operations. 

What do you think of the launch of this new FCC taskforce? Let us know in the comments!

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