Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, Section 631 (Protection of Subscriber Privacy)
Cable Act s.631
Communications
Section 631 requires cable operators to give subscribers an annual privacy notice, limits collection and disclosure of subscriber personal information without consent, gives subscribers access to their data, and requires destruction of data no longer needed.
- Where
- Federal
- Citation
- 47 U.S.C. 551
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 1984-12-29
- Last amended
- 2001-10-26
- Enforced by
- Private civil actions; Federal Communications Commission
- People can sue
- Yes
- Penalties
- Actual damages but not less than liquidated damages of $100 a day or $1,000, whichever is higher, plus punitive damages and fees.
- Applies to
- Cable operators providing cable service or other services (e.g., cable-provided internet) to subscribers
What a privacy notice must say
- Provide a separate written privacy notice at the start of service and at least once a year describing collection, use, disclosure, retention, and subscriber rights.47 U.S.C. 551(a)(1)
Rights it gives people
- Give subscribers access to their personal information and a chance to correct errors.47 U.S.C. 551(d)
Practices it requires
- Do not use the cable system to collect personally identifiable information without prior written or electronic consent, except to render service or detect unauthorized reception.47 U.S.C. 551(b)
- Do not disclose personally identifiable information without prior written or electronic consent, subject to limited exceptions and mailing-list opt-out.47 U.S.C. 551(c)
- Destroy personally identifiable information that is no longer necessary for the purpose collected.47 U.S.C. 551(e)
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Research reference, not legal advice.