FCC Wants Carriers to Give Heads Up on Data Breaches Sooner

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing new rules to improve reporting for breaches at carriers, aiming to bring data breach policy into the modern era. One key change would eliminate the mandatory seven-day waiting period before a telecom can alert customers about a security incident, giving hackers less time to exploit data undetected.

Notification requirements would be clarified under the proposal, with carriers mandated to report any data breaches to the FCC, FBI, and Secret Service. Customers would also be informed of inadvertent breaches, such as exposed account information. The Commission is seeking public input on whether breach alerts should include specific details to help individuals take appropriate action.

The FCC justifies the rule change by pointing out that current regulations are outdated, emphasizing the importance of timely notifications in today’s digital landscape. While the proposed rules may not guarantee immediate alerts, they could help mitigate the risks of identity theft and follow-up attacks for both consumers and telecom networks. The move also aligns breach reporting practices with existing laws, particularly in states like California.

However, there are concerns about the potential impact of the proposed changes. Federal agencies could delay customer notifications for up to 30 days if it might compromise a criminal investigation or national security, raising public safety issues. The FCC is also considering setting a limit on notification periods and possibly granting smaller carriers more time to report breaches. Public feedback will play a role in shaping the final rules, but there is no guarantee that all concerns will be addressed.