FCC Stays ISP Privacy Rules

Posted: March 20, 2017

The new FCC has reversed last year’s rule on ISP privacy requirements with a temporary stay. While most mainstream media reports cast this as an attack on consumer protection, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and other industry groups point out that the rules place an unneeded burden on internet providers.

“We’re encouraged by this temporary stay,” said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield in a statement . “This rule in particular and broader one-sided privacy regulations more generally create tremendous burdens on one portion of the internet ecosystem even as they set false expectations for consumers about what data are actually protected online.”

She went on to add that NTCA looks forward to working with the FCC on a “common-sense approach” that gives consumers consistent protections.
Coverage from around the web:

Christian Science Monitor: Why the FCC delayed new privacy regulations for AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast 
Consumer Reports: FCC Votes to Block New Internet Privacy Rule
The Hill: Senate Dems hit FCC chairman on consumer data risks 
Wired: The FCC Seems Unlikely to Stop Internet Providers from Selling Your Data 
Yahoo! Finance: FCC Eases Transparency Requirements for More ISPs, Hints at Coming Net Neutrality Fight
Ars Technica: GOP senators’ new bill would let ISPs sell your Web browsing data