FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked the Enforcement Bureau to investigate whether carriers fully disclose use and sharing of customer location data. This is a new effort.
“Our mobile phones know a lot about us. That means carriers know who we are, who we call, and where we are at any given moment,” said Rosenworcel. “This information and geolocation data is really sensitive. It’s a record of where we’ve been and who we are. That’s why the FCC is taking steps to ensure this data is protected.” Consumers can now directly file privacy complaints or share concerns about how providers are handling their information on the FCC’s website.
The Chairwoman recently asked mobile carriers to supply the agency with information about their data retention and data privacy policies, Inside Towers reported. Thursday, she shared that information to shed light on the issue.
AT&T
AT&T says it collects location data two ways. “AT&T Mobility collects network location information from the cellular towers used to power AT&T Mobility’s wireless network. This information identifies which cell sites are used by the devices on AT&T Mobility’s network and thus enables AT&T to provide wireless connectivity using those devices,” it tells the FCC.
AT&T also collects location data from its proprietary software embedded in the firmware of Android devices by OEMs. The software “collects device diagnostic and location data on a passive basis,” such as “when a device powers on or contacts a new cell tower.”
DISH
DISH Network provided information about the mobile wireless entities that it owns and operates, which are MVNOs Boost Mobile, Republic Wireless, Ting Mobile, and Gen Mobile, as well as Project Genesis, a facilities-based commercial service offered in more than 120 cities. Currently, DISH does not collect and retain geolocation data that would identify individual customers, except for purposes of network performance and optimization.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile collects three types of geolocation data. First, T-Mobile collects cell site location information, which comprises the street address, longitude, and latitude of the cellular tower that carries a particular voice call, SMS message, or data session. “This data is necessary for providing CMRS and CMDS, including network monitoring and maintenance, various aspects of billing, and routing emergency calls or text messages,” says T-Mobile.
Second, for purposes of network operation, T-Mobile collects “timing advance” information, which identifies the historical location of a handset in the format of longitude and latitude coordinates, as corrected for certain measurement and transmission errors. Third, “T-Mobile can access the current location of a handset to provide the estimated longitude and latitude (and, at times, elevation and/or street address) of the handset in response to either a customer placing a call or sending a text message to 911, as required by the Commission’s E911 rules, or a ‘ping’ from the company.”
Verizon
Verizon Wireless says it has numerous measures in place to safeguard consumer geolocation data, and why it carefully limits and controls the collection, use, and sharing of such data. “Verizon Wireless collects geolocation data as needed to develop, provide, and improve our services and experiences for our customers. We generally retain such information for the period for which it is needed for business purposes,” it tells the agency.
All the carriers that responded, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, say they’re transparent with customers about how they use the data, with text to educate consumers on their websites. Verizon, for example, says it notifies customers “about the limited circumstances in which location information otherwise can be preserved and shared, including with law enforcement.”
Other mobile carriers that responded to Rosenworcel were: Best Buy Health, Charter, Comcast, Consumer Cellular, C-Spire, Google Fi, H2O Wireless, Lycamobile, Mint Mobile, Red Pocket and UScellular.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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