Open Technology Institute, Privacy Advocates Urge Wireless Industry to Protect Personal Data of Low-income Americans

Washington, DC – Yesterday, New America’s Open Technology Institute (“OTI”) and 11 other consumer advocacy groups (“privacy advocates”) filed an Opposition to a petition filed in August by CTIA – The Wireless Association, in which wireless carriers asked the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider its authority to safeguard the sensitive information of Lifeline program applicants. The FCC’s June 2015 Order permits Lifeline providers, which provide low-cost service to those with demonstrated financial need, to copy and store the highly sensitive information collected in customers’ applications, including Social Security numbers, tax records and addresses.

Privacy advocates argue in their Opposition that if carriers fail to protect the privacy and security of these applications, thousands of Lifeline applicants and customers could be exposed to financial fraud, identity theft, and predatory marketing practices. Privacy advocates further explain that CTIA’s arguments are procedurally flawed and without legal merit.

Privacy advocates’ Opposition follows on the heels of comments and reply comments recently filed by OTI with the FCC encouraging it to ensure that Lifeline eligibility applications receive strong privacy and data security protections.

The following statement may be attributed to Laura Moy, Senior Policy Counsel at OTI:

“As we all know from the number of highly-publicized large-scale data breaches that have occurred over the past several months, there is no shortage of threats to sensitive consumer information—especially details on financial status, such as those contained in Lifeline applications, which could be used to facilitate identity theft and financial fraud. CTIA would have us believe that low-income customers, who have to share sensitive information in order to receive this essential service, have nowhere to turn for reliable assurances that their carriers will take reasonable measures to protect that information.

“Data security, especially as it applies to sensitive financial information, is simply too important for a ‘trust us’ approach. Despite CTIA’s assertions otherwise, the FCC has ample legal authority to ensure that carriers put their money where their mouths are when it comes to privacy and security. It should therefore deny CTIA’s petition and continue to enforce a reasonable data security standard for Lifeline eligibility applications.”

OTI was joined on the Opposition by Appalshop, Center for Democracy & Technology, Center for Digital Democracy, Center for Rural Strategies, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Watchdog, Free Press, Public Knowledge, United Church of Christ, OC, Inc., and World Privacy Forum.

The full filing may be viewed here.