Section 63.131. Purpose and general provisions

(a) This subchapter establishes appropriate minimum standards to ensure that public utilities providing regulated telecommunication services maintain the confidentiality of customer communications and customer information.

(b) A telephone company subject to this subchapter shall treat customer communications and customer information as confidential. Except for the limited instances provided in this subchapter, release of customer information to the public shall be permitted only on the authority of the customer. When a telephone company or its authorized employes utilize customer information, they shall do so only when necessary and only to the extent necessary to accomplish legitimate and authorized purposes, as set forth in this subchapter. Telephone companies and telephone company employes shall make every reasonable effort to avoid the unauthorized dissemination of customer information to the public.

(c) Nothing in this subchapter supersedes the Wiretap Act, or permits a telephone company service or activity which is otherwise prohibited by the Wiretap Act.

Notation

Notes of Decisions

Wiretap Act

The Public Utility Commission lacked jurisdiction to interpret the Wiretap Act and determine the legality of an instance of electronic surveillance. The United Telephone Company of Pennsylvania v. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, 676 A.2d 1244 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1996).