AT&T, VERIZON LOSE LOCATION DATA FINE CASE

The decision upholds the Federal Communications Commission's authority to penalize carriers for improper data sales. AT&T and Verizon had challenged the fines, arguing that the FCC's enforcement process violated their Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial. The majority found that the carriers' constitutional argument lacked merit, allowing the FCC's administrative fine structure to stand. This ruling reinforces the agency's enforcement powers over telecommunications companies regarding customer privacy violations. The case centered on whether carriers properly disclosed to customers that their location information was being sold to third parties. The FCC previously found both companies had violated regulations requiring explicit customer authorization for such sales. With this decision, the Commission maintains its ability to levy fines against carriers without navigating jury trial requirements, a significant win for federal regulatory enforcement in the telecom industry.