How outdated FCC privacy regulations are here to stay

Not too long ago, Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) rules were slated for elimination. When the Federal Communications Commission under Chairman Tom Wheeler adopted new privacy rules late last year, the FCC planned to phase out existing CPNI-specific rules, such as the annual CPNI certification and the disclosure safeguards rule.  In place of CPNI rules, the FCC planned to implement an overarching telecommunications privacy regime that would protect more types of personal data and cover more telecommunications companies, including internet service providers.

The plan was instantly put into jeopardy after the 2016 election, and within five months, Congress eliminated the Wheeler privacy rules.

But now, after a brief hiatus, CPNI rules are back in the Code of Federal Regulations where they have remained unchanged for the greater part of the last decade.  And there they will remain for the foreseeable future, thanks to Congress’ use of the Congressional Review Act.

Click here to read the full story by CommLaw Group attorney Alexander Schneider, CIPP/US, published today by the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Attorneys at The CommLaw Group’s Information Privacy, Data Security and Consumer Protection practice group can help your business build a plan to achieve ongoing compliance with the FCC’s CPNI rules and other privacy regulations. If you have any questions, please contact Linda McReynolds at lgm@commlawgroup.com or 703-714-1318, or Alexander Schneider at ais@commlawgroup.com or 703-714-1328.