FCC's Wheeler: Broadband Privacy Should Not Be a 'Luxury Item' FCC boss Tom Wheeler says that protection your broadband privacy should not be a luxury option. Wheeler was responding to reports last week noting that Comcast is considering charging broadband subscribers more to protect their own privacy. As we've long noted that's something AT&T already does -- the company charging users $30 to $50 more per month if they want to opt out of the telco's "Internet Preferences," a deep packet inspection program that tracks your browsing behavior around the Internet.

"I would hope that privacy doesn't become a luxury item," Wheeler told The Washington Post Fortunately Wheeler has more than hope at his disposal. The FCC is planning new broadband rules that would require ISPs clearly disclose what user data is being collected and given the tools to opt out. In some instances, the FCC is considering rules that would require consumers opt in before having their online behavior tracked and sold. The FCC has made it clear it's also considering banning privacy as a paid option. Given that empowered, informed consumers might opt out and cost these companies money, large broadband ISPs don't much like this idea. Especially ISPs like Verizon and Comcast, which are increasingly expanding their online content and advertising businesses. These ISPs say they should be treated exactly like Facebook and Google, ignoring that the lack of competition in the broadband last mile (and the shenanigans that consistently result) makes this an apples and oranges comparison. The FCC's plans for tougher privacy rules were driven, in part, by the discovery that Verizon was These ISPs say they should be treated exactly like Facebook and Google, ignoring that the lack of competition in the broadband last mile (and the shenanigans that consistently result) makes this an apples and oranges comparison. The FCC's plans for tougher privacy rules were driven, in part, by the discovery that Verizon was modifying user packets to covertly track user behavior around the Internet, initially without providing any notification or opt out functionality whatsoever.







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Most recommended from 25 comments



camper

just visiting this planet

Premium Member

join:2010-03-21

Bethel, CT 6 recommendations camper Premium Member At what point does this become extortion?

Around here, $70 per month gets you 25/5, and Comcast wants to add a privacy charge on top of those rates?



At what point does this become extortion? Slyster

join:2015-01-08

Sugar Grove, VA 5 recommendations Slyster Member Another issue is.. We only have the ISPs word that we are removed from this practice after paying to opt out. With the way this ISPs act I have no doubt in my mind that they continue to do it anyway.

IowaCowboy

Supermarket Hero

Premium Member

join:2010-10-16

Springfield, MA ARRIS SB6183

Netgear R8000

5 recommendations IowaCowboy Premium Member Consumer privacy I think there should be laws protecting consumer privacy similar to how health information is protected under HIPAA, especially in an era of data breaches with minimum safeguards for protection of customer data.



Hospitals can get fined for leaving a computer workstation unattended with a patient record on it (and I've seen them do it), commercial businesses should be held to the same standards.

mike340t

Compu-Global Hyper-Mega Net

join:2000-12-27

Murfreesboro, TN 4 recommendations mike340t Member What about AT&T I have had FiOS in North Jersey for 8 years.. About to get a home in TN and with AT&T (Gigapower (lame name)) the advertised prices are only if you are "automatically" opting in to spying/marketing/hijacking/whatever you want to call it... NO provider should be allowed to use your communications for advertising.. What's next, having calls interrupted with "related advertising"??