FCC and Google: An Overview of Their Relationship

The Federal Communications Commission or FCC and Google share a relationship based on trust and mutual respect.

Nevertheless, their relationship is also a complex one. 

Google is a tech giant heavily into national and international communications technology and automatically comes under FCC jurisdiction. 

But what kind of relationship do these two have? Is it sweet or bitter? Let’s find out in this Innocams blog post.

What is FCC?

The FCC is an independent government agency responsible for implementing and enforcing interstate and international communications laws and regulations in the United States. 

The Power of FCC

To understand the complexity of the relationship between FCC and Google, you need to understand the areas coming under FCC jurisdiction.

The FCC undertakes a wide range of tasks related to communications. Here is a breakdown of its basic functions and powers:

• The commission permits and monitors broadcast stations (TV and radio) to ensure they observe the established guidelines and standards.
• The FCC supervises satellite operators and makes sure they fulfil licensing criteria and comply with regulations related to internet and satellite television services.
• It regulates telecommunications operators like ISPs, telephone companies etc.
• It also regulates cable TV operators.
• To protect consumers’ rights, the FCC accepts, assesses and investigates complaints lodged by users against business entities that it regulates and supervises.
• The commission works to prevent any misleading or unfair practices by telecommunications and media companies.
• The agency ensures reliable and affordable communications services.
• The FCC actively works for promoting and encouraging innovative technologies in the communications industry. 
• It allocates radio frequency spectrum and enforces its fair and efficient use.
• A key responsibility of the agency is to ensure uninterrupted and efficient communication services for emergency services.
• FCC makes sure communications systems are judiciously used for public safety and emergency management. 

FCC and Google: Basic Relationship

All businesses across 50 US states in the communications industry are accountable to the FCC for their activities and services they offer. 

Google, who is involved in communications technology, is also thus accountable to the FCC.

Google’s Declared Policies

As a responsible business, Google has crafted and meticulously observes a set of policy guidelines that support the essence of FCC mission and vision. 

Yet, FCC and Google share a complex relationship. 

Here are a few of Google’s policies that will make it clearer to you why Google’s business policies complement FCC guidelines, mission and vision.

1. Google’s goal is to provide services that improve the lives of as many people as possible.
2. Google relentlessly tries to ensure safe and secure communications for consumers. Google Play Protect scans 100 billion apps every day. 
3. The company enforces responsible and ethical practices throughout its supply chain.
4. To ensure its mission of making communications services accessible to everyone in this world, Google strictly implements and enforces policies that are crafted to keep users safe from harm and abuse.

FCC and Google: Complexity of Relationship

Google is a diverse and vast organisation with several crucial communication services. It is challenging for any company as big as Google to religiously observe its business policies. Someone down the line will definitely do something that will put the entire company on the wrong side of the FCC.

Here is a breakdown of the complex relationship between these two:

Regulation of Devices

Google must obtain authorisation from the FCC before it can sell its wireless communication devices like mobile phones, tablets and routers. FCC ensures these devices meet its standards before it gives Google permission to sell them. 

YouTube Discrimination Allegation

FCC is investigating complaints lodged with it by a few media houses against Google. The complaints alleged that Google is discriminating against conservative and faith-based content on its YouTube platform.

Controversy Over Google Voice

A bitter conflict has broken out between FCC and Google over Google Voice, an application that facilitates phone calls. FCC thinks it should be treated as a common carrier like ordinary phone companies, but Google argues that it cannot be so regulated.

Controversy Over Data Collection

FCC investigated and fined Google for collecting data, including private data, through its Street View project. It has been alleged that Google gathered data unfairly while cars were driving through neighbourhoods. 

Complexity Over Section 230

Section 230 is a provision in the Communications Act that protects digital platforms like social media platforms and search engines against liability for user-generated content. Essentially, this section allows platforms to moderate content without being scared of getting sued. 

FCC’s involvement in this Section 230 has been a matter of contention. Google and other platforms vie for honouring this section as it is almost impossible to control user-generated content.

The Appreciation Factor

Despite these stray allegations and investigations, FCC doesn’t downplay Google’s massive contribution to the world of telecommunication technology. 

It recognised the good work Google is doing to improve the communications services. For example, it recognised the usefulness of US counties overlay for Google Earth.

Conclusion

FCC and Google share a complex relationship. Their individual responsibility, mode of work and policies often come in conflict with each other, resulting in allegation, counter-allegation and bitter legal battles. 

However, their relationship is also based on mutual respect. While Google tries its best to align its policies and activities with FCC guidelines, the latter also doesn’t forget to recognise the tech giant’s immeasurable contribution to the advancement of communications.

We can expect more contention in future, but at the same time more advancement in communication will arise out of their unique relationship.