FTC Staff Provides Comment on FCC’s Proposed Privacy Rulemaking

The staff of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection filed a comment today with the Federal Communications Commission regarding the FCC’s proposed privacy rulemaking for broadband internet access service providers.

In the comment, staff outlines the FTC’s extensive history of privacy enforcement, policy initiatives, and consumer and business education, and it commends the FCC for its attention to the core privacy principles of transparency, choice, and security. The comment responds to questions from the FCC and offers suggestions regarding the proposed regulatory text based on the FTC’s unique experience protecting the privacy and security of consumers’ data.

The suggested changes address a number of issues in the FCC’s notice of proposed rulemaking, including how personally identifiable information is defined, the structure of privacy notices, the role of consumer notice and choice in various business practices, and the proposed regulations on data security and breach notification.

The Commission vote authorizing staff to file the comment was 3-0. Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen issued a separate statement.

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