Supreme Court Rejects Carrier Challenge to FCC Penalties

In an 8-1 ruling, the Supreme Court affirmed the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority to levy civil penalties through its administrative process, rejecting AT&T’s and Verizon’s claim that the process violated their Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy PenaltiesVerizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile were selling your location data, and they can finally be punished for it

In 2024 the FCC determined that AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint sold customers’ location data without consent, violating the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The probe followed a Mississippi sheriff’s use of the Securus service to track suspects without a court order, which regulators said compromised tens of millions of consumers’ data.

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile were selling your location data, and they can finally be punished for it

Key participants include carriers AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile (with Sprint), FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. (majority author), Justice Clarence Thomas (dissent), and Earthjustice attorney Caroline Flynn.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

The FCC levied fines of over $57 million on AT&T, about $47–$48 million on Verizon, and $92 million on T-Mobile (including Sprint’s share), bringing total assessed penalties to roughly $200 million. The agency said the violations affected tens of millions of consumers.

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile were selling your location data, and they can finally be punished for it

The decision confirms that administrative forfeiture orders do not create an immediate payment obligation, preserving a key enforcement tool while allowing defendants to seek a jury trial later. It maintains pressure on carriers to protect location data and signals broader support for agency enforcement.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency will continue to hold companies accountable. Earthjustice attorney Caroline Flynn said the ruling safeguards the government’s ability to enforce laws that protect people, communities and the environment. The opinion emphasized that the jury ultimately decides the case and rejected claims of coercion or reputational harm.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, arguing the FCC’s in-house process merges prosecutorial, fact-finding and adjudicative roles, contrary to constitutional safeguards. The carriers warned the procedure could cause reputational damage before a jury trial.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

Sources list Verizon’s fine as $48 million in one account and $47 million in another. The FCC did not disclose the precise number of consumers whose data was sold, nor whether carriers have altered data-handling practices after the ruling.

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile were selling your location data, and they can finally be punished for it

• “can be made to pay, the jury gets the last word.” — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

• “impermissibly coerced” — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

• “continue to hold companies accountable,” — Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

• “By rejecting this unsupported attack on agency authority, the court’s decision safeguards the government’s ability to enforce laws that protect people, communities and the environment — and makes clear this case was never about the Constitution, but an effort to dismantle how agencies enforce the law,” — Caroline Flynn, Earthjustice

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties

The FCC said it will keep monitoring carrier compliance and may seek additional penalties for future violations. While the decision limits Seventh Amendment challenges, carriers can still contest new fines in federal court, where juries may decide.

Supreme Court Rejects AT&T Verizon Jury Trial Challenge To FCC Privacy Penalties