FCC Updates Privacy Notice for Your Complaints, Yawn
Published Date: 8/11/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC, Commission, or Agency) proposes to modify an existing system of records, FCC/CGB-1, Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance, subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This action is necessary to meet the requirements of the Privacy Act to publish in the Federal Register notice of the existence and character of records maintained by the agency. The Commission uses records in this system to handle and process informal complaints, inquiries, and requests for dispute assistance received from individuals, groups, and other entities. This modification makes various necessary changes and updates to accommodate new uses of the system to share certain anonymized or de-identified complaint data with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Complaint names may be disclosed publicly
If the FCC includes informal complaints in an order or Commission action, your name may be published in that document. If you request confidentiality, the Commission will endeavor to protect your name, but it may dismiss complaints that it determines impede its ability to investigate or resolve the complaint; these rules are effective August 11, 2026 with routine uses effective September 10, 2026 unless changed by comments.
FCC forwards complaints to companies
When a record involves an informal consumer complaint filed against a service provider (for example, broadband, telecommunications, broadcast, multi-channel video, VoIP, or accessibility issues), the FCC may forward the complaint to the subject company for a response. The modified system takes effect August 11, 2026 and the routine use authorizing such disclosures is scheduled to take effect September 10, 2026 unless comments require a change.
FCC shares robocall complaint data
The FCC may upload certain robocall complaint data (excluding complainant names, contact information, and other PII to the extent practical) to the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Sentinel Network to support federal, state, local, Tribal, or international law enforcement. This change is part of the modified system effective August 11, 2026; the new routine use is scheduled to take effect September 10, 2026 unless comments require a change.
Anonymized complaint data made public
The FCC will make anonymized or otherwise de-identified complaint data publicly available to promote transparency and help third parties identify trends. The modified system is effective August 11, 2026 and the routine uses enabling such disclosures are scheduled to take effect September 10, 2026 unless comments require a change.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16298, 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.
2026-16299, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 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. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the FCC seeks specific comment on how it can further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.
2026-16317, Television Broadcasting Services St. George, Utah
This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by KUTV Licensee, LLC (Licensee), the Licensee of full service television station KMYU(TV) (KMYU or Station), St. George, Utah (St. George). The Licensee applied for a construction permit (CP) to construct a facility on UHF channel 21 at St. George, which remains pending, and now requests that the Bureau substitute VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 in the Table with technical parameters set forth in KMYU's current license. The Media Bureau previously granted a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Licensee to substitute UHF channel 21 for VHF channel 9 at St. George. The Licensee later filed an application for a CP for its new channel, however, under further consideration and restraints, wishes to abandon its plans to modify its license for KMYU to operate on channel 21, and proposes to continue to operate on VHF channel 9 and specify the technical parameters of its currently licensed VHF channel 9 facility. The substitution of VHF channel 9 for UHF channel 21 in the Table will allow the Station to remain on the air and continue to provide service to viewers within its service area. Given that the Licensee proposes to utilize its currently licensed parameters, we believe VHF channel 9 can be substituted for UHF channel 21 at St. George as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of Sec. 73.618(a) of the Commission's rules.
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This document proposes to amend the Table of TV Allotments (Table) of the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by Reno (KENV-TV) Licensee, Inc. (Licensee), the Licensee of full service television station KENV-DT (KENV-DT or Station), Elko, Nevada (Elko). The Licensee holds a construction permit (CP) to construct a facility on UHF channel 20 at Elko, and now requests that the Bureau substitute VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 in the Table with technical parameters set forth in KENV-DT's current license. In support of its channel substitution request, the Petitioner asserts that substitution of VHF channel 10 for UHF channel 20 in the Table will allow the Station to remain on the air and continue to provide service to viewers within its service area. Given that the Licensee proposes to utilize its currently licensed parameters, we believe VHF channel 10 can be substituted for UHF channel 20 at Elko as proposed, in compliance with the principal community coverage requirements of Sec. 73.618(a) of the Commission's rules.
2026-16266, Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended ("Privacy Act"), this document announces a new computer matching program the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission or Agency) and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will conduct with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of this matching program is to verify the eligibility of applicants to and subscribers of Lifeline, which is administered by USAC under the direction of the FCC. More information about this program is provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
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