Current:Home > NewsFCC fines wireless carriers for sharing user locations without consent-LoTradeCoin
FCC fines wireless carriers for sharing user locations without consent
View Date:2024-12-24 11:18:37
The Federal Communications Commission has leveraged nearly $200 million in fines against wireless carriers AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon for illegally sharing customers’ location data without their consent.
“These carriers failed to protect the information entrusted to them. Here, we are talking about some of the most sensitive data in their possession: customers’ real-time location information, revealing where they go and who they are,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement released Monday.
Officials first began investigating the carriers back in 2019 after they were found selling customers’ location data to third-party data aggregators. Fines were proposed in 2020, but carriers were given time to argue against the claims before the fines were imposed.
The FCC argues that the four firms are required to take reasonable measures to protect certain consumer data per federal law.
“The FCC order lacks both legal and factual merit,” AT&T said in a statement. “It unfairly holds us responsible for another company’s violation of our contractual requirements to obtain consent, ignores the immediate steps we took to address that company’s failures, and perversely punishes us for supporting life-saving location services like emergency medical alerts and roadside assistance that the FCC itself previously encouraged. We expect to appeal the order after conducting a legal review.”
T-Mobile faces the largest fine at $80 million. Sprint, which merged with T-Mobile since the investigation began, received a $12 million charge. The FCC hit Verizon with a $47 million penalty, and AT&T was issued a $57 million fee.
veryGood! (25)
Related
- Parts of Southern California under quarantine over oriental fruit fly infestation
- These states have the highest property taxes. Where does yours fit in? See map.
- Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer's Love Story Will Truly Warm Your Blood
- Plan an Organized & Stress-Free Move with These Moving & Packing Essentials
- 13 Skincare Gifts Under $50 That Are Actually Worth It
- Slain nurse's murder investigation uncovers her killer's criminal past, web of lies
- Inside Houston's successful strategy to reduce homelessness
- Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer's Love Story Will Truly Warm Your Blood
- Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
- Taylor Swift and Teresa Giudice Unite at Coachella for an Epic Photo Right Out of Your Wildest Dreams
Ranking
- Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
- 'Pirsig's Pilgrims' pay homage to famous 'Zen' author by re-creating his motorcycle ride
- A Second Real Housewives of Potomac Star Is Leaving After Season 8
- Peso Pluma addresses narcocorrido culture during Coachella set, pays homage to Mexican music artists
- Get well, Pop. The Spurs are in great hands until your return
- Tesla is planning to lay off 10% of its workers after dismal 1Q sales, multiple news outlets report
- Pregnant Jenna Dewan Seeking Millions From Ex Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Income
- Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright Reunite at Their Son Cruz's 3rd Birthday Party Amid Separation
Recommendation
-
Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani wins reelection to Arizona US House seat
-
It withstood hurricanes, lightning strikes and pests: 'This tree is a survivor'
-
Taylor Swift's No. 1 songs ranked, including 'Cruel Summer,' 'All Too Well,' 'Anti-Hero'
-
French president Emmanuel Macron confident Olympics' opening ceremony will be secure
-
John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
-
Sade Robinson case: Milwaukee man Maxwell Anderson charged after human remains found
-
Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer's Love Story Will Truly Warm Your Blood
-
Major news organizations urge Biden, Trump to commit to presidential debates