FTC seeks rehearing of circuit ruling to close 'gap' in consumer data protections

The Federal Trade Commission is requesting a rehearing by the full Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals of an August ruling in favor of AT&T Mobility that the commission says creates a “gap” in federal protections for consumer data privacy and security.

“This case presents a question of exceptional importance: is a company that provides a common carrier service (like telephone or internet service) immune from Federal Trade Commission enforcement against unfair, deceptive, or  anticompetitive conduct in its non-common-carrier lines...