Use and Disclosure Limits -- Cable Records

The Cable Act permits cable operators to disclose personally identifiable information (PII) about their subscribers only:

(1) with the consent of the subscriber;

(2) if necessary to render service to the subscriber;

(3) pursuant to a court order if there is clear and compelling evidence that the subscriber is reasonably suspected of engaging in criminal activity and that the PII is material evidence and if the subscriber has the opportunity to appear and contest the claim;

(4) if the PII consists solely of names and addresses of subscribers provided that the subscriber has had the opportunity to prohibit or limit such disclosure and that said disclosure does not reveal (indirectly or directly) the extent of any viewing or other service provided by the cable operator or the nature of any transaction made by the subscriber over the cable system; or

(5) to a government entity as authorized under chapters 119, 121, or 206 of title 18, U.S.C. except that such disclosure shall not reveal cable subscriber selection of video programming.