16 Lobbying Groups Urge Congress to Kill Broadband Privacy Rules

The telecom industry is pushing hard to have the FCC's new broadband privacy rules eliminated. The rules, passed last year, require that ISPs are transparent about what data is collected and who it is sold too, and require ISPs also provide consumers with working opt out tools. In the collection of more sensitive data (like financial), the rules require that ISPs must have consumers opt in before collection.

Needless to say, the broadband industry has been engaged in an epic hissy fit ever since the rules were announced. After all; an informed, empowered consumer is arguably less profitable.

Said hissy fit continued this month when 16 trade and industry lobbying groups fired off a letter to Congress (pdf) (hat tip, Consumerist) urging it to do its part to kill the consumer protections.

"In adopting new broadband privacy rules late last year, the FCC took action that jeopardizes the vibrancy and success of the internet and the innovations that the internet has and should continue to offer," states the groups.

“While the FCC’s Order applies only to ISPs, the onerous and unnecessary rules it adopted establish a very harmful precedent for the entire internet ecosystem."

The telecom and advertising industries want Congress to overturn the rules using the Congressional Review Act. Under the act, Congress can review and potentially overturn recently-enacted rules from Federal agencies. The FCC's privacy rules would fall within a window allowing them to be overturned.

In a letter (pdf) of their own, consumer advocacy groups urged Congress to ignore the industry and stand up for the privacy of what's supposed to be their real constituents (you).

"The ISPs’ overreaction to the FCC’s broadband privacy rules has been remarkable," notes the letter. "Their supposed concerns about the rule are significantly overblown."

"These groups now ask Congress to create a vacuum and to give ISPs carte blanche, with no privacy rules or enforcement in place," the letter continues. "Without clear rules of the road under Section 222, broadband users will have no certainty about how their private information can be used and no protection against its abuse."

The FCC moved to create its rules after it was revealed that Verizon was actively modifying user packets to covertly track user behavior around the internet. The FCC was also prompted to action by AT&T and Comcast's interest in trying to charge users a surcharge if they want to actually protect their own privacy.