Sean Wieber Discusses Cybersecurity and Privacy Policy to Watch in 2020 with Law360

Winston & Strawn Litigation Partner Sean Wieber discussed cybersecurity and privacy policy to watch in 2020 with Law360, specifically commenting on issues surrounding the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Following a March 2018 D.C. Circuit decision that invalidated key components of a 2015 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order that expanded the scope of the TCPA, the commission was widely expected to quickly offer fresh guidance on the pivotal issues of what constitutes an autodialer and the requirements for calling reassigned numbers.

Instead, nearly two years have gone by without further insight from the FCC, during which time the Ninth Circuit further complicated matters by embracing a broad definition of autodialer.

The FCC has made more progress in addressing the reassigned numbers issue, with the commission publishing a final rule in March that paved the way for the creation of a database of reassigned numbers that callers would be responsible for checking. But efforts to launch the database before the end of 2019 fell short, leaving businesses looking toward the new year.

Commenting on the FCC’s progress, Sean said, “The FCC has put out some broad strokes on the reassigned number database, but they need to put the finishing touches on it and let businesses know what's available and what are the rules surrounding it.”

He also said that the long-term viability of many current TCPA disputes hinges on what action the FCC elects to take.

For more insight on cybersecurity and privacy policy to watch, read the full Law360 article here. (Subscription required)

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