# 2025-19996: FCC Seeks Input on Streamlining Confidential Information Protection Paperwork

2025-19996, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, is a Federal Register notice from Federal Communications Commission published 2025-11-17, effective Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before January 16, 2026. (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-19996
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-19996
- Title: Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Federal Communications Commission
- Citation: 90 FR 51316
- Published: 2025-11-17
- Effective: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before January 16, 2026.
- Comments close: 2026-01-16
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

FCC Seeks Input on Streamlining Confidential Information Protection Paperwork

## Summary

The FCC is checking in on a paperwork process that helps protect confidential info from businesses, governments, and nonprofits. They want your thoughts on how to make this easier and clearer, especially for small businesses. Comments are due by January 16, 2026, and the process takes about 1-2 hours per response—no big fees, just your time and input!

## Abstract

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

## Effects PRIA read

- 1–2 Hour Paperwork Burden Per Response: cost, low. If your organization submits confidential information to the FCC, each response to this information collection is estimated to take about 1–2 hours. The FCC estimates 2,400 respondents and a total annual burden of 4,300 hours for OMB Control Number 3060-0862; comments are due January 16, 2026.
- Small Businesses Can Seek Reduced Burden: benefit, low. The FCC specifically requests ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees and invites comments by January 16, 2026.
- Recordkeeping Required for Confidential Access: cost, low. Under the FCC's Model Protective Order, a party granted access to confidential materials must keep a written record of all copies made and provide that record to the submitter on request; this is a recordkeeping and third‑party disclosure requirement when access is granted.
- Clarified Submission Guidance for Confidential Requests: benefit, low. The FCC amended 47 CFR 0.459(b) to list the types of information to include when you submit materials and request confidential treatment, providing guidance to the public on what to include with confidentiality requests.

## Related documents

- [2026-20591](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20591): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20590](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20590): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20676](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20676): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20607](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20607): Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20681](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20681): Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20486](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20486): Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-06

## Sources
- [2025-19996 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/17/2025-19996/information-collection-being-reviewed-by-the-federal-communications-commission-under-delegated)
- [2025-19996 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-17/pdf/2025-19996.pdf)

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- [Next: 2025-19997, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Information Collection Reque…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-19997)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-19996 (as of 2026-06-08).