FCC chair tries to learn how carriers use telephone geolocation information

Visualization of a radio signal coming from a mobile phone used by a person walking through a crowded outdoor area.

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Federal Communications Fee Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has ordered cellular carriers to elucidate what geolocation information they accumulate from prospects and the way they use it. Rosenworcel’s probe might be step one towards stronger motion—however the company’s authority on this space is in peril as a result of Congress is debating a knowledge privateness regulation that would preempt the FCC from regulating carriers’ privateness practices.

Rosenworcel despatched letters of inquiry Tuesday “to the highest 15 cellular suppliers,” the FCC introduced. The chairwoman’s letters requested carriers “about their insurance policies round geolocation information, similar to how lengthy geolocation information is retained and why and what the present safeguards are to guard this delicate data,” the FCC mentioned.

The letters additionally “probe carriers about their processes for sharing subscriber geolocation information with regulation enforcement and different third events’ data-sharing agreements. Lastly, the letters ask whether or not and the way shoppers are notified when their geolocation data is shared with third events,” the FCC mentioned.

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