Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984

Citation: Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. §551.

The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. § 551, restricts the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of subscriber information. The Act restricts cable operators from using their system to collect personally identifiable information from consumers without prior notice and consent, which must be granted either electronically or in a written format. The Act also prohibits disclosure of personally identifiable information to third parties without consent (except for government requests pursuant to court order, or disclosures necessary for the fulfillment of cable services). Cable subscribers retain the right to inspect and correct errors in the database.