Ajit Pai: Carrier sales of phone-location data is illegal, FCC plans punishment

A cell phone displays a map and directions while mounted on a car dashboard.

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Mobile network operators who sold their customers' real-time location data violated US law and the Federal Communications Commission will try to punish carriers that did so, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wrote today.

"[T]he FCC's Enforcement Bureau has completed its extensive investigation and... it has concluded that one or more wireless carriers apparently violated federal law," Pai wrote in a letter today to Democratic members of Congress who asked for an update on the probe.

"I am committed to ensuring that all entities subject to our jurisdiction comply with the Communications Act and the FCC's rules, including those that protect consumers' sensitive information, such as real-time location data," Pai's letter continued. "Accordingly, in the coming days, I intend to circulate to my fellow Commissioners for their consideration one or more Notice(s) of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in connection with the apparent violation(s)."

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