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For Immediate Release Congressman Pitts’ Wireless Privacy Amendment Passes House Committee Washington–- Congressman Joe Pitts’ (R, PA-16) long-standing effort to protect the privacy of Americans’ cell phone numbers took a major step forward this week when his wireless privacy amendment was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee as part of a larger bill dealing with phone records. “The American people deserve to know once and for all whether or not their cell phone numbers are going to remain private,” Congressman Pitts said. “My legislation lets consumers decide whether or not they want their number made available to anyone who wants it. This common sense legislation enjoys bipartisan support and I hope to see the full House consider it in a timely manner.” Background The House Energy and Commerce Committee this week passed The Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act. This legislation seeks to thwart a practice known as “pretexting” whereby fraudulent data brokers misrepresent themselves to phone companies in order to gain access to secured information. Congressman Pitts offered an amendment to this legislation that forbids wireless phone companies from disclosing the wireless phone number of any customer without prior express authorization from the customer. The committee unanimously adopted Pitts’ amendment. Having passed at the committee level, the legislation will now move on to consideration by the full House, though a date for House consideration has not yet been set. ### |
