[Notice] FCC/FTC Location Based Services Forum June 28

Public Notice: The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (the Bureau) in consultation with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff will hold a public education forum featuring representatives of telecommunications carriers, technology companies, consumer advocacy groups and academia on June 28, 2011, exploring how consumers can be both smart and secure when realizing the benefits of Location Based Services (LBS).

Topics will include: how LBS works; benefits and risks of LBS; consumer DOs and DON'Ts; industry best practices; and what parents should know about location tracking when their children use
mobile devices.

The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW,
Washington DC, 20554. This session, as well as comments received in response to this Public Notice,
will inform a forthcoming staff report on LBS.

Over the last few years, LBS have become an important part of the mobile market and a boon to
the economy. Commercial location-based services include applications that help consumers find the
lowest-priced product nearby or the nearest restaurant. Additionally, innovations in the use of location technology have the potential to open up new services for consumers and to aid public safety entities with emergency response. But recent reports have raised concerns about the location-based information that is gathered when consumers use mobile devices. While the use of location data has spurred innovation, the FCC's National Broadband Plan recognizes that consumer apprehension about privacy can also act as a barrier to the adoption and utilization of broadband and mobile devices.1 Clear information and public education can help consumers better understand these services. Indeed, both the staff at the FTC and the Department of Commerce recently issued separate reports noting the growing importance of addressing concerns about location privacy.2

. . . . .

PUBLIC NOTICE

Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th St., S.W.
Comments Due: July 8, 2011

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D.C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

DA 11-857

Released: May 17, 2011

FCC STAFF TO HOST FORUM AIMED AT HELPING CONSUMERS NAVIGATE LOCATION-BASED SERVICES

WT Docket No. 11-84

Forum Date: June 28, 2011