FCC Tweaks Financial Records Privacy for Better Treasury Ties
Published Date: 2/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is updating its Financial Operations records system to keep your info safe and follow new government rules. These changes add a new way the Treasury Department can use data and tweak how law enforcement accesses it. The updates kick in on February 25, 2026, with a chance to comment by March 27, 2026—no extra costs for you!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Treasury 'Do Not Pay' Data Sharing
The FCC added a new routine use allowing records to be disclosed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury to review payment and award eligibility through the Treasury "Do Not Pay" working system to identify, prevent, or recoup improper payments. This change is part of the FOIS update and the routine uses become effective March 27, 2026 unless comments require otherwise.
DOJ Drug‑Debarment Matching Publicized
The FCC will match CORES records against the Department of Justice Drug Debarment List and make match results (with redactions for date of birth and Social Security number) and related correspondence part of the applicant's public file. This applies to applicants or recipients who appear in the DOJ Drug Debarment database.
Child‑Support Data Sharing for Enforcement
The FCC's FOIS may disclose employees' names, Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, dates of hire, quarterly earnings, and employer data to the Office of Child Support Enforcement (HHS) to help locate individuals and establish or modify child support orders as required by welfare‑reform laws.
Broader Law‑Enforcement Disclosure
The FCC revised its law-enforcement routine use so the agency may disclose records to appropriate federal, state, tribal, local, or international investigative or prosecuting agencies when records indicate a violation or potential violation. The change is effective February 25, 2026, and routine uses take effect March 27, 2026 unless comments change that.
FRN Registrant Information Made Public
The FCC routinely makes FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) and certain non-sensitive information provided by people and entities who register to do business with the Commission publicly available. This affects people who register for an FRN to transact with the FCC.
Pay.gov Name/Address Disclosure
When you choose to pay the FCC online using the Treasury's Pay.gov system, your name and address may be disclosed to the Department of the Treasury to facilitate collection of fees. This is stated as a routine use in the revised FOIS.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16996, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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 OMB control number.
2026-16995, Information Collection Being Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Emergency Review and Approval
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 (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 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 Commission 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.
2026-16993, Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 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.
2026-16997, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. 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.
2026-16740, Information Collection Being Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Emergency Review and Approval
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 (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 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 Commission 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.
2026-16615, Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions-2026
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review (Sep. 30, 1993), requires each agency to publish a regulatory agenda (Agenda) of regulations under development or review during the next year which will be included in the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). The Agenda required by Executive Order 12866 must include all regulations the agency expects to develop or review during the next 12 months, regardless of whether they may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Executive Order 12866 provides that agencies may combine this agenda with the regulatory flexibility agenda required under the RFA. To help keep the public informed of significant rulemaking proceedings and meet its obligations under the RFA and Executive Order 12866, the Commission has prepared Agenda entries providing a brief description and summary of each regulatory activity that is currently planned for the 12 months, subject to revision, including the objectives and legal basis for each, and the name and telephone number of an agency official who is knowledgeable about items in the agenda. The Commission's Agenda entries published in the Federal Register are only those entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities pursuant to the RFA. The Commission's complete list of regulatory and deregulatory actions for the Unified Agenda will be published on the internet in a searchable format at www.reginfo.gov.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03735, Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Department of Defense is updating a form that helps check if certain company leaders can keep U.S. government secrets safe from foreign influence. About 256 people will fill out this form once a year, spending around 45 minutes each time. Comments on this update are open until March 27, 2026, and the process helps protect national security without costing respondents money.
Next: 2026-03737, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The FCC is updating its records system for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helps low-income families get cheaper internet. This change adds a new way the FCC can share info, and it kicks in on February 25, 2026. If you want to speak up about these changes, you’ve got until March 27, 2026, to send your comments.