The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8–1 that the FCC can continue enforcing penalties against telecom companies that improperly handle customers’ real-time location data. The decision rejects arguments from AT&T and Verizon that the agency’s process violates the Constitution by allowing large fines without an initial jury trial.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the companies were never denied that right because they could refuse to pay the penalties, take the case to court, and request a jury. The ruling leaves intact $104 million in FCC fines and reinforces the agency’s authority to regulate privacy violations.

Privacy advocates welcomed the decision, calling it a major win for consumer protection. They pointed to past incidents in which sensitive location information was sold, resold, and accessed by bounty hunters and even a rogue sheriff, exposing serious weaknesses in data security.

By preserving the FCC’s enforcement powers, the Court ensured regulators can continue holding telecom companies accountable for mishandling personal information. The ruling sends a clear message that carriers remain responsible for protecting the private location data of millions of Americans.