EPIC Calls For More Phone Privacy

On Tuesday EPIC asked the FCC to create stronger standards for the privacy of customer phone records. EPIC says these records are extremely sensitive, and in the wrong hands -- for instance, a stalker -- they can be abused. But they can be accessed, and sold to third parties, with little consequence, EPIC says.

Data thefts, and more often, unauthorized access through fraud does occur, phone companies say, but obviously they do not see the need for stronger rules.

Stronger control over their data by phone companies might help prevent the enactment of stricter laws and regulations. It's happened to other industries. A little self regulation now might go a long way. Conversely, the publicity from a major privacy breach could be the tipping point the other way. Just an observation.