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Senators Demand FCC Answer For Fake Comments After Realizing Their Identities Were Stolen (gizmodo.com)

Posted by msmash on from the waking-up-to-reality dept.

Two US senators -- one Republican, one Democrat who both had their identities stolen and then used to post fake public comments on net neutrality -- are calling on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to address how as many as two million fake comments were filed under stolen names. From a report: Senators Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon, and Pat Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, are among the estimated "two million Americans" whose identities were used to file comments to the FCC without their consent. "The federal rulemaking process is an essential part of our democracy and allows Americans the opportunity to express their opinions on how government agencies decide important regulatory issues," the pair of lawmakers wrote [PDF].

"As such, we are concerned about the aforementioned fraudulent activity. We need to prevent the deliberate misuse of Americans' personal information and ensure that the FCC is working to protect against current and future vulnerabilities in its system. We encourage the FCC to determine who facilitated these fake comments," the letter continues. "While we understand and agree with the need to protect individuals' privacy, we request that the FCC share with the public the total number of fake comments that were filed."

6 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They need to know how it feels.

  2. Identities "stolen" by RobinH · · Score: 4, Funny

    The comment form probably looked like this:

    Comment: _______________________________________

    Please enter your name: _____

    Please enter your address: _____

    [ ] Check this box to certify this is really you.

    --
    "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain
    1. Re:Identities "stolen" by SlaveToTheGrind · · Score: 4, Informative

      The comment form probably looked like this:

      Comment: _______________________________________

      Please enter your name: _____

      Please enter your address: _____

      [ ] Check this box to certify this is really you.

      Pretty much, without even the checkbox. The actual form is here.

      They also allowed bulk submissions via an API or uploading a CSV per here.

      I can't believe anyone is truly shocked over this.

  3. Common Knowledge by sirsky · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It has been common knowledge that millions of comments were forged and faked from day one. An estimated 2 million American's stolen identities to post fake comments on an incredibly important issue doesn't matter -- until it's just 2 American Senators? What's wrong with this picture?

    1. Re:Common Knowledge by TigerPlish · · Score: 5, Insightful

      C'mon, you know that's how it works here. It could affect most of the population and they'll do nothing.

      It affects a few of THEM, and yeah.. now it's a Thing.

      --
      The "Civilized World" jumped the shark ca. 1973.
  4. Sometimes reading TFA pays off by Sumus+Semper+Una · · Score: 4, Informative

    Every now and then you get a nice little quote when you read TFA. This was my favorite from this one:

    The FCC comment process is, in other words, a complete shitshow