The FCC’s Jessica Rosenworcel Isn’t Leaving Without a Fight
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Summary
Democrats fear the Trump-allied Republican majority in the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could undo new cybersecurity standards being imposed on telecoms operators.
Jessica Rosenworcel, the outgoing Democratic chair of the FCC, has urged the commission to maintain strong oversight of the industry in the face of what she describes as the worst telecoms hack in US history.
In December, nine US telecoms firms were breached as part of what’s believed to be a state-sponsored attack, giving Beijing access to phone calls and text messages, as well as police surveillance systems.
Rosenworcel used her remaining time in office to introduce requirements for operators to have cyber risk management plans and to implement NIST and CISA standards.
The proposed rules could be undone by Republican FCC chair Brendan Carr, who has been critical of what he sees as overreach on the part of the FCC.
Carr could rescind the rules or let Republican lawmakers in Congress reverse them.