Federal Court Upholds $46.9 Million Fine Against Verizon

A federal appeals court upheld a $46.9 million fine against Verizon for illegally sharing customer location data. The Second Circuit Court ruled that device-location data is legally protected. This decision is part of a wider FCC action fining major U.S. carriers nearly $200 million for mishandling location information.

A federal appeals court has upheld a $46.9 million fine imposed on Verizon Communications by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The penalty comes as a result of Verizon's unauthorized sharing of customer location data.

The ruling was delivered by a three-judge panel from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Verizon's defense was rejected, with the panel making it clear that device-location data is protected under statutory law.

This decision is part of a broader initiative by the FCC, which collectively fined the largest U.S. wireless carriers nearly $200 million in April 2024 for mishandling customer location information. The fines aim to ensure strict compliance with privacy regulations.