FCC Cancels Cybersecurity Rule That Never Existed Anyway
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC has canceled a previous cybersecurity rule that didn’t work well and teamed up with communication providers to boost the nation’s defenses against cyberattacks. This change affects all network providers, who are now focused on stronger, smarter protections to keep our communications safe. The new approach started in late 2025 and aims to protect consumers and national security without extra costs from flawed rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
FCC Rescinds Broad CALEA Ruling
The FCC reconsidered and rescinded a Declaratory Ruling issued in January 2025 (identified as January 16, 2025) that had interpreted CALEA to require broad, enterprise-level cybersecurity steps across carriers. The rescission was adopted on November 20, 2025 and removes the immediate, enforceable interpretation that would have required carriers to adopt specific network management practices across their networks.
Providers Agreed to Stronger Cyber Controls
In 2025, communications providers agreed to take extensive, coordinated steps to harden networks, including accelerated patching of vulnerable equipment, updating access controls, disabling unnecessary outbound connections, and improving threat-hunting and information sharing with the federal government. If you use phone or internet services, these provider actions aim to protect your communications and national security without imposing the one-size-fits-all requirements the rescinded ruling had proposed.
FCC Withdraws Proposed Broad Cyber Rules
The FCC withdrew the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted January 15–16, 2025 that would have applied cybersecurity and supply-chain risk management plan requirements to a broad set of "Covered Providers." The Commission said on November 20, 2025 that it will not pursue that one-size-fits-all NPRM and will instead use targeted, legally grounded measures.
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