Google attorney Greg LeRoy has sent a letter to Commissioner Elizabeth L. Spiers about privacy and whether Jonathan Kanter can be impartial while he serves on the Federal Communications Commission.
Spiers voted to remove Kanter from the commissioner’s role Thursday, after The Washington Post reported that Kanter works for internet companies including Google, Microsoft and Reddit on issues concerning privacy.
In the letter, LeRoy wrote that although Kanter has no vote on the FCC, “he currently serves on a committee or task force that oversees this matter.”
Google said Kanter serves on the National Broadband Center Advisory Committee, which “functions as an independent group of representatives for computer and Internet companies, trade associations, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Office of Engineering and Technology, and others.”
LeRoy asked Spiers to recall Kanter’s position on the advisory committee and recuse herself from considering the agenda for next week’s meeting or any other related issues.
Spiers did not respond to a request for comment. Kanter is scheduled to appear before the FCC on Wednesday.