Consumer Purpose Of The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The establishment of a Consumer Privacy Policy provides reassurance that the consumers’ right to privacy is protected. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated best practices for businesses to protect the privacy of consumers (FTC Privacy Report, 2012). These business practices provide consumers greater control over the collection and use of their personal data, allowing them to understand who has access to their personal information and what their personal information is utilized for. Any metadata that is stored or recorded on phone records provided to consumers is considered the private property of the consumer, not the telecommunications company. Telecommunications companies should not profit off of the personal metadata of consumers. These companies should firmly uphold the FTC ethical standards, ensuring the protection of the individual privacy of its consumers.

Purpose of the policy

All telecommunication companies utilize phone bills to record metadata to inform consumers of data usage, phone numbers called, call lengths, and the frequency of the phone numbers called. This also provides a way

According to the Federal Trade Commission(n.d.), the FTC ACT “Prevent unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce; (b) seek monetary redress and other relief for conduct injurious to consumers” (Federal Trade Commission ACT, n.d.). The unethical practice of not providing consumers an opt-in is unethical and illegal. Telecommunications companies should not disclose collected consumer data without gaining permission. When consumers obtain services from their telecommunications company, the telecommunications company should obtain consent to collect their private information, as well inform consumers that they will notify them if any of their information is disclosed to an outside