• A Strategic Initiative to Advance America's Telecommunications Infrastructure
Contact Us
Start Qualification

Data Privacy & Security Compliance

Introduction

At United States Telecommunications Corporation (USTelco), we are committed to upholding the highest standards of data privacy and security. As an FCC-licensed U.S. telecommunications carrier serving enterprise and government clients, we recognize our critical responsibility to protect customer information and maintain strict compliance with all applicable laws. This public Compliance Statement outlines our comprehensive approach to safeguarding data, ensuring network integrity, and adhering to regulatory requirements. Our language is precise and professional by design, reflecting an authoritative tone consistent with top-tier carriers and aimed at assuring regulators, clients, partners, and investors of our proactive compliance posture.

Regulatory Compliance

USTelco operates in strict accordance with United States federal and state regulations, as well as relevant international standards. Key areas of our legal and regulatory compliance include:

  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance: USTelco fully complies with all FCC regulations governing telecommunications services. We strictly adhere to Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) rules that protect the confidentiality of customer call data. In addition, we have implemented the STIR/SHAKEN call authentication framework (mandated under the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act) across our network to verify caller identity and combat illegal spoofing and robocalls. Our infrastructure is designed and operated to meet or exceed FCC security and reliability requirements.
  • Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): We ensure that communications facilitated through our platform comply with the TCPA and related telemarketing regulations. USTelco requires proper consumer consent for any automated calls or texts carried over our network when applicable. We also maintain processes to honor Do-Not-Call lists and opt-out requests, helping our clients and partners prevent unsolicited or unlawful communications. These measures protect consumers and keep our services aligned with FCC and FTC telemarketing rules.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Standards: USTelco adheres to FTC guidelines and consumer protection standards in all business practices. We maintain transparency in how we collect, use, and share personal information, in line with the FTC’s Fair Information Practice Principles. Our marketing and communications are truthful and not misleading, and we do not engage in any deceptive or unfair data practices. By following FTC-recommended data protection measures, we ensure customers’ personal information is handled responsibly and lawfully.
  • Data Privacy Laws (CCPA & GDPR): Our privacy program is designed to meet the requirements of major data protection laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), among others. USTelco provides individuals with clear privacy notices and choices regarding their data. We honor rights such as access to personal information, deletion of data, and opting-out of the sale of personal data (note: USTelco does not sell personal information). All personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, and only for specific, disclosed purposes. We implement measures like data minimization and purpose limitation to ensure compliance with both U.S. and international privacy obligations.
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): For clients in the healthcare sector or those transmitting protected health information (PHI) over our network, USTelco upholds the privacy and security requirements of HIPAA. We have the required administrative, physical, and technical safeguards in place to protect PHI. When appropriate, we enter into Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with healthcare customers, contractually committing to HIPAA-compliant practices. This enables our healthcare clients to use USTelco services with confidence that their communications meet HIPAA’s stringent standards for security and confidentiality.

Data Privacy & Confidentiality

USTelco treats the privacy and confidentiality of customer data as a core value. We have implemented robust policies and controls to ensure personal information is handled responsibly, with respect for individual rights and awareness of regulatory obligations:

  • Limited Collection & Use: We limit the personal data we collect to what is necessary for providing our services and meeting legal or contractual requirements. USTelco does not collect unnecessary or excessive customer information. We use personal data only for legitimate business purposes – such as delivering telecommunication services, billing, customer support, fraud prevention, and compliance with laws – and not for any purpose to which the customer has not consented or been informed.
  • No Selling of Data: USTelco does not sell or rent customers’ personal information to third parties. Any sharing of data with outside partners or service providers is solely for purposes of providing our services or fulfilling legal obligations, and always under strict data protection agreements. For example, if we work with a subcontractor (such as a data center provider or a number portability administrator), that partner is bound to maintain the confidentiality and security of our customer data to the same high standards we uphold.
  • Customer Consent & Privacy Rights: We respect customer privacy preferences and obtain any necessary consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information beyond what is permitted by law. In compliance with regulations like CCPA and GDPR, USTelco provides mechanisms for individuals to exercise their privacy rights. Customers can request access to the personal data we hold about them, ask for corrections, or request deletion of their data, and we will respond in accordance with applicable laws. We also support opt-out requests (for example, choosing not to receive certain communications), and we honor all such choices consistently.
  • Employee Training & Confidentiality: Every USTelco employee and contractor is trained in data privacy and security protocols. We enforce strict confidentiality agreements and a code of conduct that emphasizes the importance of safeguarding customer information. Access to sensitive data is role-based and granted only on a “need to know” basis. We use least-privilege principles and regular access reviews to ensure that personnel only access data essential for their job functions. Any violation of our data privacy policies by staff is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
  • Privacy by Design: We incorporate Privacy-by-Design principles into our technology and product development life cycle. Before launching new services or features, our teams conduct privacy impact assessments to evaluate and mitigate risks to personal data. We embed controls such as data anonymization, encryption, and consent management into our systems from the outset. By proactively considering privacy at every stage – from initial design and architecture to deployment and maintenance – USTelco ensures that robust data protection is built into our services, not added as an afterthought. We continually review our data practices to adapt to changing privacy regulations and best practices.

Network Security & Data Protection

Securing our network infrastructure and protecting customer data from threats are top priorities at USTelco. We maintain a comprehensive information security program that leverages industry best practices and cutting-edge technologies to safeguard voice and data communications. Major components of our network and data security strategy include:

  • Secure Network Architecture: We deploy a multi-layered, carrier-grade security architecture across all USTelco systems. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, network segmentation, and regular security patching of equipment. Our voice and data traffic are protected using secure protocols, and we enforce encryption for data in transit wherever applicable. Notably, USTelco has implemented STIR/SHAKEN technology to authenticate calls and ensure the integrity of caller ID information, preventing malicious spoofing on our network. These measures collectively help prevent unauthorized access, eavesdropping, and tampering with the communications that traverse our infrastructure.
  • Encryption & Access Control: We apply strong encryption standards to protect sensitive information. Data at rest in our databases or storage systems is encrypted, and communications channels (such as APIs or management interfaces) are secured via encryption (e.g., TLS) to guard against interception. USTelco enforces strict access controls on systems and data: all employees and administrators must use unique credentials and multi-factor authentication to access production environments. We follow the principle of least privilege, meaning each user’s access is limited to only the resources and information necessary for their role. Administrative access and activities are logged, and we monitor these logs for any unauthorized or unusual access attempts.
  • Continuous Monitoring & Threat Detection: Our Security Operations Center (SOC) monitors USTelco’s network and systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We utilize advanced threat detection tools, intrusion monitoring systems, and real-time analytics (including AI-driven pattern analysis) to identify suspicious behavior or security incidents as early as possible. This includes monitoring for network intrusions, malware, DDoS attacks, and fraud patterns. For example, our systems automatically flag anomalies such as unusual call volumes or traffic patterns that could indicate robocall campaigns, toll fraud, or other abuses. When an alert is triggered, our security team investigates immediately and takes action to mitigate any risk to our network or data.
  • Security Testing & Audits: USTelco regularly tests the effectiveness of our security controls through internal audits and independent assessments. We conduct frequent vulnerability scans on our websites, servers, and network devices to identify and remediate potential weaknesses. Periodic penetration testing is performed on our critical systems and applications by qualified security professionals, helping to ensure that our defenses are resilient against sophisticated attacks. We also maintain a secure software development life cycle (SDLC) – incorporating code reviews, security testing, and strict change management for any updates to our platform. Any findings from tests or audits are documented and promptly addressed through our vulnerability management process.
  • Physical Security & Reliability: In addition to cyber defenses, we protect the physical infrastructure that houses our systems. USTelco’s data centers and switching facilities are secured with multiple layers of physical controls, including badge or biometric access systems, surveillance cameras, and on-site security personnel. Only authorized personnel are permitted in sensitive areas, and facilities are audited for compliance with security standards. We also design our network with high availability and resilience in mind: we have redundant systems, power backups, and geographically distributed nodes to maintain service continuity. In the event of a hardware failure or other disruption, our failover mechanisms ensure that communications services remain secure and available. This focus on reliability is part of our security commitment, as it protects against loss of service and data.

Customer Identity Verification & Vetting

To prevent fraud and unauthorized use of our services, USTelco employs rigorous customer identity verification and vetting procedures. We believe that knowing our customers and ensuring their legitimacy is an essential aspect of both compliance and security in the telecommunications industry. Our efforts in this area include:

  • Know Your Customer (KYC) Due Diligence: USTelco carefully vets all new enterprise clients, service provider partners, and high-volume customers before activating services. As part of onboarding, we verify the customer’s identity, business credentials, and, if applicable, regulatory licensing or FCC registration. We also review the intended use of our network (e.g., types of call traffic) to ensure it aligns with legal use. This due diligence process helps us block bad actors (such as scammers or entities with a history of communications abuse) from exploiting our network. We only do business with organizations that meet our strict compliance, security, and integrity standards.
  • Account Authentication Controls: For our existing customers, we enforce strong identity verification whenever account changes or access to sensitive information is requested. Customers managing their services through our online portals must use secure login credentials and are encouraged to use multi-factor authentication. When interacting with USTelco’s support teams, customers are asked to verify key identity details (for instance, account PINs, security questions, or one-time verification codes) before any account-specific assistance is provided. These procedures protect customers against impersonation or social engineering attacks by ensuring we only divulge information or make changes when the requester’s identity is certain.
  • Ongoing Compliance Monitoring: USTelco’s responsibility to verify customers doesn’t end at onboarding. We continuously monitor customer traffic and usage patterns for signs of non-compliance or abuse. Our network management systems will flag irregular activities — such as spikes in call volumes, high concurrent calls that could signal robocall operations, or calling patterns that suggest possible TCPA violations. When such alerts occur, our compliance team investigates promptly. If we confirm misuse of our services or a violation of laws/our terms (for example, a customer inadvertently transmitting unlawful robocalls), we take action which may include warning the customer, suspending specific traffic, or terminating the account for egregious or unremediated issues. By actively supervising how our network is used, we help ensure that all customers continue to abide by telecommunication laws and USTelco’s ethical conduct standards throughout our relationship.

Data Retention & Disposal

USTelco follows strict data retention and record-keeping practices that meet legal obligations while also protecting customer privacy. We recognize the need to retain certain information for compliance and business purposes, but we are equally committed to not holding data longer than necessary. Our approach to data retention and disposal includes:

  • Regulatory Record-Keeping: In compliance with federal and state requirements, USTelco retains certain telecommunications records for prescribed periods. This includes call detail records (CDRs), usage logs, billing records, and customer consent records relevant to TCPA or other regulations. Maintaining these records allows us to fulfill obligations such as FCC reporting requirements, respond to lawful subpoenas or law enforcement requests, and support investigative efforts against fraud or abuse. We handle all government and law enforcement requests for data in accordance with the law and our internal policies – ensuring that any disclosure of information is properly authorized, limited in scope, and reviewed by our legal/compliance team before release.
  • Defined Retention Schedules: We have implemented detailed data retention schedules that govern how long each type of data is kept. These schedules are based on the classification of the data and applicable legal requirements. For example, certain operational logs might be kept for a few months, while billing records may be retained for several years as required by tax or telecom regulations. Personal data collected from customers is retained only for as long as needed to provide services or as mandated by laws (such as data retention laws or statutes of limitation for disputes). Once a retention period expires, or if data is no longer needed for its original purpose, USTelco either deletes the data or anonymizes it irreversibly. By not retaining data indefinitely, we reduce risks and comply with privacy laws that mandate data minimization and storage limitation.
  • Secure Data Disposal: When data is scheduled for deletion, USTelco ensures it is removed from all storage locations in a secure manner. We utilize industry-standard techniques and tools to permanently erase or overwrite electronic data so that it cannot be recovered. For physical documents or media containing sensitive information, we employ secure shredding and destruction procedures. All data disposal actions are logged and, when appropriate, reviewed as part of our audit processes to confirm proper execution. Additionally, we include backup systems in our deletion process – ensuring that data purged from primary systems is also expunged from any backups or archives according to our retention policy. These practices guarantee that when we say data has been deleted, it is truly and thoroughly gone.

Governance & Oversight

USTelco’s commitment to privacy and security is reinforced by strong governance and oversight mechanisms. We have established clear accountability for compliance at every level of the organization, and we foster a culture of security awareness. The governance structures and practices that guide our compliance program include:

  • Leadership & Accountability: Our executive leadership and Board of Directors prioritize data protection and regulatory compliance as fundamental to USTelco’s mission. We have appointed dedicated officers (e.g., a Chief Compliance Officer and a Chief Information Security Officer) who oversee the implementation and enforcement of our privacy, security, and compliance programs. These leaders provide regular updates to senior management and the Board, ensuring that there is top-down visibility into our compliance status and security posture. Management sets measurable goals for compliance and security performance and allocates the necessary resources (personnel, tools, and budget) to achieve those goals.
  • Policies & Training: USTelco maintains comprehensive internal policies covering all aspects of data privacy, security, acceptable use of our services, and incident response. These policies are living documents that are reviewed at least annually – and updated sooner if needed to address changes in laws such as new FCC orders, FTC regulations, or privacy legislation. We provide mandatory training for all employees on our policies and the legal obligations underlying them. New hires receive this training during onboarding, and all staff must complete refresher training periodically. We also conduct specialized training for teams handling sensitive data (for example, developers receive secure coding training; customer support receives training on authentication and privacy). Through continuous education and clear policies, USTelco ensures every team member understands their role in maintaining compliance and protecting our customers’ information.
  • Internal Monitoring & Audits: To verify that our policies are being followed and controls are effective, USTelco conducts regular internal audits and compliance monitoring. We utilize both automated tools and manual reviews to assess our operations. This can include activities like reviewing access logs, testing employee adherence to procedures, evaluating third-party vendor compliance, and simulating phishing or social engineering attempts to gauge organizational readiness. Results of these audits are documented and reported to management. When issues or deviations are discovered, we take immediate corrective action – updating procedures, providing retraining, or strengthening technical controls as necessary. This continuous self-assessment loop allows us to catch and fix potential problems proactively. We are committed to continuous improvement, so we track metrics and audit findings over time to ensure that our compliance posture is constantly strengthening.
  • Proactive Regulatory Engagement: USTelco stays ahead of the curve by actively engaging with the evolving regulatory landscape. We monitor pending legislation and rulemakings from bodies such as the FCC and FTC, as well as state-level public utility commissions and international regulators. Our compliance team routinely evaluates upcoming regulatory changes (for example, new FCC requirements on robocall mitigation or new state privacy laws) and prepares the company in advance. We update our practices and systems as needed before new rules go into effect, thereby ensuring seamless compliance from day one of any new mandate. In addition, we participate in industry associations and working groups that develop best practices for telecom security and privacy. By contributing to and learning from industry-wide efforts, we align our program with the highest standards and often implement measures that go beyond minimum compliance. This forward-looking, collaborative approach exemplifies USTelco’s philosophy of being a leader in compliance, not just a follower.

Incident Response & Breach Notification

Despite robust preventive measures, USTelco understands that security incidents can still occur. We have a detailed Incident Response Plan in place to ensure that if an incident arises, it is handled swiftly, transparently, and effectively. Our incident response capabilities include:

  • Rapid Detection & Containment: We have established clear procedures for identifying and escalating security incidents or data breaches. Our monitoring systems and personnel are trained to recognize the signs of a potential incident (such as unusual network activity, alerts from security tools, or reports of suspicious behavior). The moment an incident is suspected or confirmed, our incident response team is activated. Their first priority is containment: isolating affected servers or systems, disabling compromised accounts or credentials, and otherwise preventing any further unauthorized access or data loss. By containing the issue quickly, we limit the scope and impact of the incident from the outset.
  • Investigation & Remediation: Once an incident is contained, USTelco’s incident response team conducts a thorough investigation to determine the root cause, timeline of events, and extent of impact. The team typically includes cybersecurity experts, IT system owners, legal/compliance advisors, and relevant business stakeholders. We analyze logs, preserve forensic evidence, and may engage specialized forensic tools or third-party experts if needed to fully understand what occurred. Based on our findings, we eradicate any threats (for example, removing malware, terminating unauthorized processes, or fixing system vulnerabilities) and restore affected systems to normal, secure operation. Throughout the process, we document everything for accountability and lessons learned. If the incident involved any customer data or service disruption, we prioritize steps to secure that data and bring services back online safely. Remediation may also involve enhancing certain controls or deploying patches to prevent a similar incident in the future.
  • Communication & Notification: USTelco is committed to timely and transparent communication in the event of a data breach or significant security incident. In line with regulatory requirements (such as the FCC’s data breach notification rules for telecom providers, as well as various state data breach laws and the GDPR, if applicable), we will notify the appropriate parties about the incident. Affected customers will be informed as soon as reasonably possible about what happened, what data or services were impacted, and what actions we have taken to mitigate the harm. We provide guidance to our customers on steps they can take to protect themselves, if relevant (for example, resetting passwords or being vigilant against scam calls). Additionally, we notify regulators and law enforcement as required: for instance, major breaches are reported to the FCC and potentially the FTC, and if consumer personal data is involved, to state attorneys general or other authorities per law. Our notifications are documented and contain the information mandated by law, delivered within the timelines required to ensure compliance with all breach notification obligations.
  • Post-Incident Review & Improvement: After an incident has been resolved, USTelco conducts a post-incident review to evaluate our response and identify any improvements. This retrospective analysis covers what happened, how effectively our team executed the incident response plan, and what could be done better. The findings are used to update our incident response procedures, playbooks, and training. If any gap in security controls or compliance was identified, we address it promptly – whether that means investing in new technology, changing a process, or providing additional employee education. Our goal is not only to remediate a single event but to strengthen our overall security posture based on what we learn. USTelco also shares relevant insights with our partners or through industry forums when appropriate, to contribute to the broader telecom community’s resilience. By treating every incident as a learning opportunity, we continuously enhance our ability to protect our network and customers.

Ongoing Commitment

Data privacy and security are enduring commitments for USTelco. We understand that the landscape of threats and regulations is constantly evolving, and we are dedicated to evolving with it. Our company’s culture emphasizes continuous compliance – meaning we don’t view compliance as a one-time project, but as an integral and ongoing part of how we operate daily. We remain vigilant, regularly updating our practices to align with the latest regulatory frameworks (FCC, FTC, TRACED Act, TCPA, CCPA, GDPR, HIPAA, and beyond) and adopting state-of-the-art security measures as new technologies emerge.

By steadfastly adhering to these principles and proactively improving our safeguards, USTelco ensures that our customers, partners, and stakeholders can trust our services. We will continue to maintain an open dialogue with regulators and clients, undergo self-assessments and improvements, and demonstrate leadership in compliance and security within the telecommunications industry. USTelco’s pledge is simple: to protect the integrity, privacy, and security of the data and communications entrusted to us – now and in the future – with the utmost diligence and care.