FTC commissioners call for data-breach legislation, repeal of ‘common carrier’ exemption

Members of the Federal Trade Commission Tuesday urged the Senate Commerce Committee to take up federal data security and breach notification legislation and repeal an existing exemption that prevents the FTC from taking action against communications “common carriers” over data security and privacy issues.

“It is important for Congress to act in this area,” FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said during an FTC oversight hearing.

Ramirez said the FTC needs civil penalty authority and the ability to investigate and take action...