The FCC is Giving ISPs One Year to Adopt New Privacy Rules The FCC has released a full draft (pdf) of the agency's new broadband privacy rules, which it approved last week in a 3-2 vote. The new rules require that ISPs transparently state what private data is being collected and sold by consumers, while requiring that ISPs provide consumers with working opt out tools. The toughest portion of the rules requires that consumers have to opt in if ISPs are to collect and sell user web browsing records, app use, location and financial information.

According to a statement by the FCC, they're giving broadband providers one year to adopt the new rules, acknowledging it will take ISPs time to "coordinate with various business segments and vendors," "update programs and policies," and "engage in consumer outreach and education." "The bottom line is that it’s your data," FCC boss Tom Wheeler said of the rules. "How it’s used and shared should be your choice." Wheeler also indicated that the FCC would be taking a closer look at binding arbitration clauses buried in user contracts that prohibit users from participating in class actions. Instead, users are often forced to participate in binding arbitration, a "solution" in which the arbitrator is employed by the company in question, and sides with their employer the lion's share of the time. "The time has also come to address the harmful impacts of mandatory arbitration requirements on consumers of communications services," said Wheeler. "To address this issue comprehensively, we have begun an internal process designed to produce a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on this important topic by February 2017." While the broadband industry has long claimed broadband privacy rules weren't necessary because the industry could self regulate, history has consistently shown that's simply not the case. The FCC's move toward privacy rules was driven in large part by AT&T and Verizon's decision to begin modifying user wireless packets to track consumers around the internet. In Verizon's case, it tracked user behavior in this fashion for two years before security researchers discovered the practice. It took another six months of public pressure before Verizon provided working opt out tools. Again, you can take a look at the new rules Again, you can take a look at the new rules here (pdf).







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Most recommended from 22 comments



FureverFurry

RIP Daphne: 3/12/05 - 6/19/12

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ARRIS WBM760

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7 recommendations FureverFurry Premium Member And during that one year ....



Call me jaded, but would anyone be surprised if those ISPs donate to the congress critters over the next year to have the FCC law undone ? And during that one year, ISPs will take full advantage of selling/renting/sharing our various personal bits -- which will be resold/shared.Call me jaded, but would anyone be surprised if those ISPs donate to the congress critters over the next year to have the FCC law undone ?

Anon7fcac

@comcast.net 5 recommendations Anon7fcac Anon Election 2016 = No FCC rules The problem is this is an election year and giving them 1 year to adopt these rules is basically passing the buck because neither Trump or Clinton will support The FCC and so I suspect these rules will go "bye bye".



I agree The Internet is a utility and we cannot trust corporations to do the right thing. But sadly, since we seemingly have a Corporate Congress, I doubt we can trust them either not to sell us all out. silbaco

Premium Member

join:2009-08-03

USA 3 recommendations silbaco Premium Member FCC Is this going to be another set of rules that FCC has no intention of ever enforcing? Because that is exactly how it has been with Net Neutrality. Companies are walking all over the rules and the FCC isn't doing a damn thing.

Jethroz

Stuck in Stone Age

join:2000-07-11

Frederick, MD 3 recommendations Jethroz Member Get ready for Buzzword Bingo responses from ISPs! How much will this change stifle innovation, infringe on copyrights, or violate someone's civil rights...?