In a First, FCC Pools Privacy, Data Protection, Cyber Resources With 4 State AGs
The FCC Enforcement Bureau and four state attorneys general signed memorandums of understanding on privacy, data protection and cybersecurity, the first time such enforcement partnerships have been crafted, the FCC said Wednesday. The FCC and Connecticut, Illinois, New York and…
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Pennsylvania’s Democratic AGs will coordinate efforts and share expertise and resources under the pact, said the federal agency. The FCC and state AGs “share close and common legal interests in working cooperatively to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute or otherwise take enforcement action in relation to privacy, data protection, or cybersecurity issues” under sections 201 and 222 of the Communications Act, said the MOUs. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, “Defending consumer privacy is an all-of-government responsibility and a shared challenge.” More states are welcome to join the partnership, she added. FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal said the agreement “will allow us to maximize our efforts to address risks arising from the misuse or mishandling of sensitive data we entrust with service providers and the continued threats posed by cybercriminals and foreign adversaries.” New York AG Letitia James (D) said, “This partnership between state and federal enforcement leaders will help strengthen our ability to protect consumers’ privacy and hold companies that violate the law accountable.” Also applauding the collaboration was Illinois AG Kwame Raoul (D), who noted, “Similar state and federal partnerships have allowed us to successfully target perpetrators of illegal robocalls.”