EPIC Urges FCC to Safeguard Viewer Privacy in NextGen TV Tech

On January 20, EPIC joined a coalition of civil society groups led by Public Knowledge urging the FCC to implement consumer protections for NextGen TV broadcasting using ATSC 3.0, a standard that allows for datacasting. Under this technical standard, data can flow in both directions, meaning broadcasters can collect user data like streaming media services do, which is distinct from traditional broadcasting in which data only flows in one direction: from the broadcaster to the receiver.

The groups urged the Federal Communications Commission to implement privacy rules for NextGen TV parallel to those implemented for cable and satellite providers, arguing that an absence of such rules results in regulatory gaps that would leave this data unprotected. This is especially concerning as viewers of public spectrum broadcasts have historically had no expectation that watching programs like their local news might subject them to online tracking or behavior profiling.

The coalition comment also addressed issues including content locking via Digital Rights Management (DRM), emergency alerts, equipment to ensure continued service to rural and tribal consumers, and potential anti-competitive effects.

EPIC routinely files comments with federal agencies regarding business practices that violate data privacy and data security rights. EPIC has long advocated for the inclusion of data minimization in privacy laws and regulations.