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.
Facebook and Instagram face European Union scrutiny over possible breaches of digital rulebook
'Mother Wu' Remains Loyal to Her Island Home
Taiwan Flutist Living Her Best Life in Fujian
In pics: Women's Semifinals of Badminton at 19th Asian Games
CRAIG BROWN: The killer who wants to be Donald Trump's running mate
Peng Yan Leads Team in Developing USVs
Elderly Couple Defies Age, Completing 100 Marathon Races
Boosting Rural Revitalization in Hometown
Queen Mary and King Frederik are caught in a royal Photoshop row
Rural Veterinarian Maintains Dual Role as Vet and Internet Celebrity in NW China's Ningxia