Verizon Communications v. Federal Communications Commission

The Supreme Court released a June 4, 2026 decision in a dispute over FCC monetary penalties against carriers that fail to reasonably safeguard customer data. The case asks whether this enforcement system denies carriers a jury trial or improperly gives judicial power to the FCC.

Chief Justice Roberts wrote the 8–1 opinion, joined by Justices Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett, and Jackson; Justice Thomas dissented.

Majority

Roberts

Alito

Sotomayor

Kagan

Gorsuch

Kavanaugh

Barrett

Jackson

Dissent

Thomas

The decision affects wireless carriers facing FCC penalties over customer-data safeguards, including protections for location data. It also affects the FCC's ability to enforce those requirements through monetary penalties.

The FCC, wireless carriers, and lower courts will apply the Supreme Court's decision in enforcement cases involving customer-data safeguards. Carriers may need to adjust how they respond to FCC penalty proceedings.

The Court issued a June 4, 2026 decision on whether FCC monetary penalties for inadequate customer-data safeguards require a jury trial.

Wireless carriers subject to FCC customer-data rules are directly affected. Customers may also be affected by how the FCC enforces protections for location data.

The FCC and lower courts will apply the decision in future enforcement matters. Carriers will assess its effect on challenges to monetary penalties.