Company privacy rights
Federal Communications Commission v. AT&T
In brief
The Supreme Court overturned the Third Circuit: corporations cannot claim personal privacy under Exemption 7(C).
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 8-0 · March 1, 2011 · Opinion by Chief Justice Roberts
- What it’s about
- CompTel asked the FCC for records from an investigation into whether AT&T overcharged the agency for work on a technology-education project; AT&T argued that the federal Freedom of Information Act’s personal-privacy exemption protected the records.
- Who it affects
- Corporations cannot rely on Exemption 7(C)'s personal-privacy protection to withhold records.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court overturned the appeals court, deciding that corporations do not have “personal privacy” under that exemption (Exemption 7(C)).
The FCC inquiry concerned whether AT&T overcharged the agency for work on a technology-education project.
The dispute arose under the Freedom of Information Act, which sets rules for requests for federal agency records.
Question presented
May corporations assert personal privacy interests to prevent the government from releasing documents about them?
What the Court decided
Holding
Corporations do not have “personal privacy” for the purposes of Exemption 7(C). 582 F. 3d 490, reversed.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
What's next
The decision establishes that corporations cannot claim personal privacy under this exemption. The case record does not say whether the FCC later released the records or whether further proceedings followed.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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More questions
- Did the Court decide whether AT&T overcharged the FCC?
- No. The Court decided whether corporations have personal privacy under Exemption 7(C), not whether AT&T overcharged the FCC.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.