Media Contact: 
MediaRelations@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES ONGOING INITIATIVES TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS THROUGH INCREASED TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND COOPERATION
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WASHINGTON, March 26, 2024—The FCC’s Privacy and Data Protection Task Force in parallel with the Federal Trade Commission and other federal and state agencies announced ongoing initiatives to strengthen law enforcement efforts through increased technical expertise and cooperation, including for privacy and data protection enforcement matters. 

FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal, chair of the Task Force, stated, “Today, in parallel with federal and state agencies, we are lifting up our whole-of-government efforts to establish and strengthen our technical expertise in support of our privacy and data protection enforcement work.  This ongoing work 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.”  

Since establishing the intra-agency Task Force in June 2023, the FCC has: 

· more than doubled the number of staff working on privacy and data protection enforcement investigations; 

· integrated technologists, software and hardware engineers, and other subject matter experts in its enforcement matters, adding to the FCC’s deep technical expertise in rulemaking and licensing matters; 

· convened technical experts on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies through its Technological Advisory Council; and 

· engaged technical experts from the private sector and academia to support privacy and data protection enforcement efforts. 

The FCC recognizes the need for greater coordination and cooperation between technical experts across federal agencies, and will continue to support greater technical engagement between agencies in support of the Task Force’s focus on privacy and data protection.  In addition to today’s efforts, the FCC has also signed Memoranda of Understanding with state Attorneys General in Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia, and with the Unsolicited Communications Network (UCENet) and the Information Commissioner’s Office of the United Kingdom to facilitate better engagement with state and international enforcement partners on privacy and data protection matters. 

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).