AT&T and Verizon have lost their bid to overturn a $104 million fine imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for selling users' real-time location data without consent. The Supreme Court ruled that the FCC's process did not violate the carriers’ right to a jury trial.

The case began with AT&T’s success at the 5th Circuit, which overturned its $21 million fine in 2024, and Verizon’s loss at the 2nd Circuit. The Supreme Court consolidated these cases, resolving the circuit split by reversing the 5th Circuit decision. Justice Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenter.

The carriers argued that the FCC's orders deprived them of their Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial because they did not explicitly create an obligation to pay fines without refusal and government collection action. However, Chief Justice John Roberts' majority opinion stated that these orders fit within the Supreme Court’s precedents, as they neither established legal obligations nor reflected factual determinations.

The court's decision means AT&T and Verizon must adhere to FCC regulations strictly, even if it involves paying hefty fines first before contesting them. This ruling ensures transparency and accountability in data practices, reinforcing the importance of consent in tech ethics.