Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC, Commission, or Agency) proposes to modify an existing system of records, FCC/CGB-4, internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service-User Registration Database (ITRS-URD) Program, subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This action is necessary to meet the requirements of the Privacy Act to publish in the Federal Register notice of the existence and character of records maintained by the agency. The ITRS-URD's system of records contains personally identifiable information (PII) that is collected, used, stored, and maintained to support the administration, management, operations, and functions of the ITRS programs. The ITRS-URD, which is administered by a third party under contract with the FCC, is a database registration system that provides a necessary interface for multiple ITRS services, which include, but are not limited to Video Relay Service (VRS) and internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). These services are available to individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities, who are eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and who register to participate in a TRS program. This modification updates the Categories of Records Covered by the System, adds a new routine use, and updates and revises language in one existing routine use.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 200 (Monday, October 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 200 (Monday, October 19, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66132-66135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21315]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FR ID 372593]


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice of a modified system of records.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC, Commission, or 
Agency) proposes to modify an existing system of records, FCC/CGB-4, 
internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service-User Registration 
Database (ITRS-URD) Program, subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as 
amended. This action is necessary to meet the requirements of the 
Privacy Act to publish in the Federal Register notice of the existence 
and character of records maintained by the agency. The ITRS-URD's 
system of records contains personally identifiable information (PII) 
that is collected, used, stored, and maintained to support the 
administration, management, operations, and functions of the ITRS 
programs. The ITRS-URD, which is administered by a third party under 
contract with the FCC, is a database registration system that provides 
a necessary interface for multiple ITRS services, which include, but 
are not limited to Video Relay Service (VRS) and internet Protocol 
Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS). These services are available to 
individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or have speech 
disabilities, who are eligible under the Americans with Disabilities 
Act (ADA), and who register to participate in a TRS program. This 
modification updates the Categories of Records Covered by the System, 
adds a new routine use, and updates and revises language in one 
existing routine use.

DATES: This modified system of records will become effective on October 
19, 2026. Written comments on the routine uses are due by November 18, 
2026. The new or revised routine uses in this action will become 
effective on November 18, 2026 unless comments are received that 
require a contrary determination.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Shana Yates, FCC, 45 L Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20554, care of the Office of General Counsel, Privacy 
Team; or to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6212100b1403011b220401014c050d14"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1161637867707268517772723f767e67">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FCC Office of General Counsel, Privacy 
Team, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e292908b9483819ba2848181cc858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="59292b302f383a20193f3a3a773e362f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice serves to update and modify FCC/
CGB-4 to make various necessary changes and updates, including 
modification of the Categories of Records Covered by the System, the 
addition of a new routine use, and the revision of one existing routine 
use to provide more detail. The substantive changes and modifications 
to the previously published version of the FCC/CGB-4 system of records 
include:
    1. Modifying the language in the Categories of Records in the 
System to reflect the collection and maintenance of information 
regarding ITRS program providers and suspension and debarment history 
and current status of program providers;
    2. Updating and/or revising language in the following routine use 
(listed by the routine use number provided in this notice): (2) 
Prevention of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Disclosure; and
    3. Adding one new routine use (listed by the routine use number 
provided in this notice): (4) Suspension and Debarment Disclosure.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
    FCC/CGB-4, internet-based Telecommunications Relay Service-User 
Registration Database (ITRS-URD).

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
    Unclassified.

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB), FCC, 45 L Street 
NE, Washington, DC 20554.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
    CGB, FCC, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    47 U.S.C. 141-154, 225, 255, 303(r), 616, and 620.

PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
    This system collects and maintains:
    1. Information that is used to determine whether an individual who 
is applying for a TRS program is eligible to register for the program;
    2. Information that the ITRS-URD administrator uses to determine 
whether information with respect to registered users already in the 
ITRS-URD is correct and complete;
    3. Information that the ITRS-URD administrator uses or will use in 
a system for automated validation of the registration information that 
has been submitted and ensure that the authorized VRS and IP CTS 
providers are unable to register individuals who do not pass the 
identification verification check conducted through the ITRS-URD;

[[Page 66133]]

    4. Information that VRS and IP CTS providers must request to 
validate each individual who seeks to register that he/she is an actual 
person living or visiting in the United States;
    5. Information related to users signed up with multiple providers 
for VRS or IP CTS; and
    6. Information that is contained in the records of the inquiries 
that VRS and IP CTS providers will make available to the ITRS-URD 
administrator and its contractors and subcontractors who manages the 
database (providing verification/call/service center(s) services) to 
verify that individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or 
have speech disabilities and who are eligible under the ADA to 
participate in ITRS programs.
    Collecting and maintaining these types of information allows staff 
access to documents necessary for key activities discussed in this 
SORN, including verifying the eligibility of individuals to participate 
in ITRS programs; analyzing effectiveness and efficiency of related FCC 
programs and informing future rule-making and policy-making activity; 
and improving staff efficiency. Records in this system are available 
for public inspection, e.g., in response to requests under the Freedom 
of Information Act (FOIA), after redaction of identifying information 
such as a name, address, telephone number, fax number, and/or email 
address.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    1. Individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or have 
speech disabilities, and who are eligible under the ADA to register for 
one or more of the ITRS program's multiple services;
    2. Representatives of certified ITRS Program providers;
    3. Individuals who are registered and currently receiving ITRS 
Program services; and/or
    4. Individuals who are minors whose status makes them eligible for 
a parent or guardian to register them for ITRS program services.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    1. Electronic records regarding ITRS participants, subscribers, and 
applicants, including their full names (first, middle, and last names); 
the names of parents or guardians; full residential addresses; dates of 
birth; last four digits of social security numbers (SSNs) or Tribal 
identification numbers (or alternative proof of identification for 
those who do not have an SSN or Tribal identification number); ten 
digit telephone number(s) assigned in the TRS number directory and 
associated uniform resource identifier (URI) information; users' 
registered location information for emergency calling purposes; 
eligibility certifications (digital copy) for ITRS program's service(s) 
and date obtained from provider; users' VRS or IP CTS initiation dates 
and (when applicable) termination dates; date on which user last placed 
a point-to-point or relay call;
    2. Electronic records regarding ITRS program providers (including 
points of contact for and those who certify on behalf of program 
providers), including name and contact information, street and email 
addresses, phone number(s), and fax number(s);
    3. Suspension and debarment history and current status, as well as 
history of misconduct of individuals (including points of contact for 
and those who certify on behalf of entities) who are ITRS program 
providers.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    Information in this system is provided by individuals, or by 
parents or guardians of minor individuals, who are deaf, deaf-blind, 
hard of hearing or have speech disabilities to determine their 
eligibility for ITRS programs; and by ITRS program providers for 
registration of subscribers, participants, and applicants, and/or their 
re-certification in ITRS programs.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, all or a portion of the records or 
information contained in this system may be disclosed to authorized 
entities, as is determined to be relevant and necessary, outside of the 
FCC as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
    1. FCC Program Management--A record from this system may be 
accessed and used by the ITRS-URD Administrator and disclosed to third-
party contractor's employees (including employees of subcontractors) to 
conduct official duties associated with the administration, management, 
and operation of the ITRS programs, as directed by the Commission. Such 
duties include conducting the verification process that allows the 
ITRS-URD administrator to determine the accuracy of the PII provided by 
or regarding participants, subscribers, and applicants to the system of 
records, i.e., when an employee of a third-party contractor (and/or 
subcontractor), responsible for management registration and fraud 
prevention, verifies the eligibility of the participant, registrant, or 
subscriber.
    2. Prevention of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Disclosure--Records may be 
disclosed to Federal agencies, non-Federal entities, their employees, 
and agents (including contractors, their agents or employees; employees 
or contractors of the agents or designated agents); or contractors, 
their employees or agents with whom the FCC has a contract, service 
agreement, cooperative agreement, or computer matching agreements for 
the purposes of: (1) detection, prevention, and recovery of improper 
payments; (2) detection of fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal programs 
administered by a Federal agency or non-Federal entity; (3) detection 
of fraud, waste, and abuse by individuals in their operations and 
programs, but only to the extent that the information shared is 
necessary and relevant to verify pre-award and prepayment requirements 
prior to the release of Federal funds, prevent and recover improper 
payments for services rendered under programs of the FCC or of those 
Federal agencies and non-Federal entities to which the FCC provides 
information under this routine use.
    3. Department of Treasury--Records may be disclosed to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury when disclosure of the information is 
relevant to review payment and award eligibility through the Do Not Pay 
Working System for the purposes of identifying, preventing, or 
recouping improper payments to an applicant for, or recipient of, 
Federal funds, including funds disbursed by a state (meaning a state of 
the United States, the District of Columbia, a territory or possession 
of the United States, or a federally recognized Indian tribe) in a 
state-administered, federally funded program.
    4. Suspension and Debarment Disclosure--The FCC may disclose 
information from this system to other Federal agencies considering 
suspension or debarment action if the information is relevant to the 
suspension and debarment action.
    5. ADA Eligibility Verification Data--A record from this system may 
be disclosed to the appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, or local 
authorities (including transfers of PII data to/from the ITRS-URD 
Administrator, contractors, and subcontractors, as required) for the 
purposes of verifying whether individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, 
hard of hearing or have speech disabilities are eligible under the ADA 
to register to participate in/subscribe to ITRS programs;

[[Page 66134]]

    6. State or Tribal Agencies and Authorized Entities--A record from 
this system may be disclosed to designated State or Tribal agencies and 
other authorized entities, which include, but are not limited to state 
public utility commissions, and their agents, as is consistent with 
applicable Federal and State laws, to administer TRS or ITRS (as 
applicable) programs in that state and to perform other management and 
oversight duties and responsibilities, including determining 
eligibility for TRS or ITRS programs.
    7. FCC Enforcement Actions--When a record in this system involves 
an informal complaint filed with the FCC alleging a violation of FCC 
rules, regulations, orders, or requirements by an ITRS applicant, 
subscriber, participant, licensee, certified or regulated entity/
provider, or an unlicensed person or entity, the complaint may be 
served to the alleged violator for a response through the FCC's normal 
complaint-handling process. When an order or other Commission-issued 
document that includes consideration of an informal complaint or 
complaints is issued by the FCC for resolution or enforcement, the 
complainant's name may be made public in that order or letter document. 
Where a complainant in filing his or her complaint explicitly requests 
that confidentiality of his or her name from public disclosure, the 
Commission will endeavor to protect such information from public 
disclosure. Complaints that contain requests for confidentiality may be 
dismissed if the Commission determines that the request impedes the 
Commission's ability to investigate and/or resolve the complaint.
    8. Congressional Inquiries--Records may be disclosed to a 
Congressional office in response to an inquiry from that Congressional 
office made at the written request of the individual to whom the 
information pertains.
    9. Government-wide Program Management and Oversight--Records may be 
disclosed to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to obtain that 
department's advice regarding disclosure obligations under the Freedom 
of Information Act (FOIA); or to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) to obtain that office's advice regarding obligations under the 
Privacy Act.
    10. Law Enforcement and Investigation--When the FCC investigates 
any violation or potential violation of a civil or criminal law, 
regulation, policy, executed consent decree, order, or any other type 
of compulsory obligation and determines that a record in this system, 
either alone or in conjunction with other information, indicates a 
violation or potential violation of law, regulation, policy, consent 
decree, order, or other compulsory obligation, the FCC may disclose 
pertinent information as it deems necessary to the target of an 
investigation, as well as with the appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, 
local, international, or multinational agencies, or a component of such 
an agency responsible for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing, or 
implementing a statute, rule, regulation, order, or other compulsory 
obligation.
    11. Litigation--Records may be disclosed to DOJ when: (a) the FCC 
or any component thereof; (b) any employee of the FCC in his or her 
official capacity; (c) any employee of the FCC in his or her individual 
capacity where the DOJ or the FCC has agreed to represent the employee; 
or (d) the United States Government is a party to litigation or has an 
interest in such litigation, and by careful review, the FCC determines 
that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation, and 
the use of such records by the DOJ is for a purpose that is compatible 
with the purpose for which the FCC collected the records.
    12. Adjudication--Records may be disclosed in a proceeding before a 
court or adjudicative body, when: (a) the FCC or any component thereof; 
(b) any employee of the FCC in his or her official capacity; (c) any 
employee of the FCC in his or her individual capacity; or (d) the 
United States Government, is a party to litigation or has an interest 
in such litigation, and by careful review, the FCC determines that the 
records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation, and that the 
use of such records is for a purpose that is compatible with the 
purpose for which the agency collected the records.
    13. Breach Notification--Records may be disclosed to appropriate 
agencies, entities, and persons when: (a) the Commission suspects or 
has confirmed that there has been a breach of PII maintained in the 
system of records; (b) the Commission has determined that as a result 
of the suspected or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to 
individuals, the Commission (including its information systems, 
programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national 
security; and (c) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and 
persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with the 
Commission's efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed breach or 
to prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm.
    14. Assistance to Federal Agencies and Entities Related to 
Breaches--Records may be disclosed to another Federal agency or Federal 
entity, when the Commission determines that information from this 
system is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient agency or entity 
in: (a) responding to a suspected or confirmed breach or (b) 
preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm to individuals, 
the recipient agency or entity (including its information systems, 
program, and operations), the Federal Government, or national security, 
resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach.
    15. Non-Federal Personnel--Records may be disclosed to non-Federal 
personnel, including contractors, other vendors (e.g., identity 
verification services), grantees, and volunteers who have been engaged 
to assist the FCC in the performance of a contract service, grant, 
cooperative agreement, or other activity related to this system of 
records and who need to have access to the records in order to perform 
their activity.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
    This system contains electronic records, files, and data. The ITRS-
URD Program Administrator will host the electronic data, which will 
reside in the administrator's ITRS-URD Program's database(s) and in the 
databases of third-party contractors and subcontractors who conduct the 
subscribers/participants' verification processes.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
    Records in this system of records can be retrieved by any category 
field, e.g., first or last name or email address.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
    The information in this system is maintained and disposed of in 
accordance with NARA records schedule ``Telecommunications Relay 
Service (TRS),'' Records Schedule Number DAA-0173-2015-0006.

ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
    The electronic records, files, and data are stored within FCC or a 
vendor's accreditation boundaries and maintained in a database housed 
in the FCC's or vendor's computer network databases. Access to the 
electronic files is restricted to authorized employees and contractors; 
and to IT staff, contractors, and vendors who maintain the IT networks 
and services. Other employees and contractors may be granted access on 
a need-to-know basis. The electronic files and records are

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protected by the FCC and third-party privacy safeguards, a 
comprehensive and dynamic set of IT safety and security protocols and 
features that are designed to meet all Federal privacy standards, 
including those required by the Federal Information Security 
Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA), OMB, and the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST).

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
    Individuals wishing to request access to and/or amendment of 
records about themselves should follow the Notification Procedures 
below.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
    Individuals wishing to request access to and/or amendment of 
records about themselves should follow the Notification Procedures 
below.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
    Individuals wishing to determine whether this system of records 
contains information about themselves may do so by writing to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#98e8eaf1eef9fbe1d8fefbfbb6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1b6b69726d7a78625b7d7878357c746d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Individuals requesting access must also comply with 
the FCC's Privacy Act regulations regarding verification of identity to 
gain access to records as required under 47 CFR part 0, subpart E.

EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
    None.

HISTORY:
    88 FR 60455 (Sept. 1, 2023).

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-21315 Filed 10-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P


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