FCC Fines Nation’s Top Wireless Companies Over Shared Data Allegations

An investigation found the nation's top wireless carriers had illegally shared customers' personal data without their consent.

Several top wireless carriers have been handed a hefty fine that stem from allegations in 2020 by the Federal Communications Commission.

An investigation found the nation’s top wireless carriers had illegally shared customers’ personal data without their consent.

The companies improperly shared users’ geolocation histories to third parties, including to prisons, as part of their commercial programs.

The FCC said AT&T must pay $57 million and Verizon was fined around $47 million. Sprint also has to pay $12 million and T-mobile $80 million.

Since the investigation began, Sprint and T-mobile merged in 2020.

In response to the FCC fines, all of the wireless carriers said they expect to appeal the decision.