FCC v. AT&T
608 U. S. 531 (2026) · 6/04/26
Because forfeiture orders issued under 47 U. S. C. §503(b)(4) do not definitively resolve the parties’ legal obligations, and the FCC’s factual findings in its forfeiture proceedings are not conclusive, it does not violate the Seventh Amendment for the FCC to issue forfeiture orders without the involvement of a jury.
Edition: preliminary print (page proof)
Voices: Syllabus — prepared by the Reporter of Decisions · Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion of the Court. · Justice Thomas, dissenting.
The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to investigate regulated parties for suspected violations of the communications laws and to seek monetary forfeitures for violations of those laws. 47 U. S. C. § 503(b). In these cases, the Commission investigated cellular service providers AT&T and Verizon (collectively, the carriers) regarding their treatment of customer location data. Believing that the carriers had violated laws and regulations requiring them to take reasonable steps to keep location data confidential, the FCC sought forfeitures…
Communications Commission, et al., on certiorari to the United StatesRead it in the reading room ›