Pallone Blasts Pai for Refusing Emergency Briefing on Location Data Disclosures
House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., blasted FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Monday for not conducting an emergency briefing for committee staff that day on why the commission hasn't ended top wireless carriers' unauthorized location data disclosures (see 1901100046). Pallone…
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sought the briefing Friday, arguing it was needed immediately because of national security and public interest matters (see 1901110042). "In a phone conversation today, [Pai's] staff asserted that these egregious actions are not a threat to the safety of human life or property that the FCC will address during" the shutdown, Pallone said. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel "was available for a briefing but, as a minority member of the FCC, she does not have the authority to direct resources," Pallone said. "There’s nothing in the law that should stop the Chairman personally from meeting about this serious threat." FCC officials told House Commerce staff the agency "has been investigating wireless carriers' handling of location information," emailed a commission spokesperson. "Unfortunately, we were required to suspend that investigation earlier this month because of the lapse in funding, and pursuant to guidance from our expert attorneys, the career staff that is working on this issue are currently on furlough. Of course, when the Commission is able to resume normal operations, the investigation will continue."