FCC Strengthens Business Data Privacy Against Fraudsters
Published Date: 2/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The FCC is updating its Business Contacts and Certifications records to add two new ways they can share info to fight fraud and protect your data. This affects businesses and government groups who provide info to the FCC. The changes kick in on February 25, 2026, with a chance to comment by March 27, 2026—no extra costs involved, just better protection and transparency!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Records Shared with Treasury Do Not Pay
The FCC will disclose records from FCC-2 to the U.S. Department of the Treasury to review payment and award eligibility through the Do Not Pay Working System to identify, prevent, or recoup improper payments. This routine use (No. 13) becomes effective March 27, 2026 unless comments require otherwise.
Data Sharing to Detect Fraud and Improper Payments
The FCC added a routine use (No. 14) allowing disclosure of FCC-2 records to Federal and non-Federal entities, contractors, and their agents to detect, prevent, and recover improper payments and to verify pre-award and prepayment requirements. This routine use becomes effective March 27, 2026 unless comments require otherwise.
Records May Be Shared With Law Enforcement
When the FCC determines a record indicates a violation or potential violation of law or FCC obligations, FCC-2 records may be disclosed to appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, international, or multinational law enforcement and investigative agencies. The modified system is effective February 25, 2026.
Your Contact Info May Be Published
If you provide business contact information or certifications to the FCC, that contact information and certifications may be made available for public inspection and included in Commission releases. This change is part of the FCC-2 system modification effective February 25, 2026, with routine uses effective March 27, 2026.
Breach Response Sharing and Notifications
If the FCC suspects or confirms a breach of personally identifiable information in FCC-2, records may be disclosed to appropriate agencies, entities, or persons to respond to the breach, and the FCC may share records to help other Federal agencies respond to or remediate suspected or confirmed breaches. These provisions are part of the modified FCC-2 system effective February 25, 2026.
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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: 2026-03737, 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.
Next: 2026-03739, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Occupational Requirements Survey
The Department of Labor is asking for public feedback on a survey that collects info about job duties and work demands across the country. This survey helps update data used by the Social Security Administration to make fair decisions about disability benefits. If you’re an employer, you might be asked to share info soon, and comments on this process are open until March 27, 2026.