Seattle Passes New Rule Protecting Broadband User Privacy In the wake of the GOP killing consumer broadband privacy protections, the city of Seattle has moved forward with its own broadband privacy rules. A notice by the city notes that ISPs doing business in Seattle now need to get opt-in permission from their subcribers before selling web browsing history or personally identifiable information. The rule was announced by the Seattle Information Technology Department using authority granted via the city's franchise agreements with broadband and TV providers.

"The Rule requires Cable Operators to obtain opt-in consent before sharing a customer’s web browsing history or otherwise use such information unless it is necessary to render a service ordered by the customer or pursuant to a subpoena or valid court order authorizing disclosure, or to a governmental entity," the city said in the announcement. "Cable operators must attest to compliance with this rule by September 30, 2017, and annually thereafter," it added. The FCC's privacy rules would have required that broadband providers be transparent with the data collected and sold, and provide working opt out tools. The rules also would have required that customers opt in before personal financial or browsing data was collected and sold. But because these restrictions would have resulted in Comcast, AT&T and Verizon making less money (especially as they shift their focus to massive media megamergers), the House and Senate voted to kill the rules in March along strict party lines. "Mayor [Edward] Murray believes protecting the privacy of internet users is essential to a free and open society," said Kristen Glundberg-Prosser, a public information officer for the city. "In April 2017 the Trump administration repealed rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would have would have banned internet service providers from sharing or selling certain types of customer information without user consent. Because of this repeal at the national level, the City is using powers at its disposal to implement a similar rule and protect the rights of our public." In Seattle, CenturyLink and Comcast enjoy a fairly notable duopoly, punctuated on occasion by a provider by the name of Wave broadband. In Seattle, CenturyLink and Comcast enjoy a fairly notable duopoly, punctuated on occasion by a provider by the name of Wave broadband.







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Most recommended from 43 comments

b10010011

Whats a Posting tag?

join:2004-09-07

Bellingham, WA 10 recommendations b10010011 Member I bet Seattle ISP's wish Republicans would have left things alone But they brought this on themselves complaining that the nearly worthless federal regulation were too confusing and hard for them to follow.



Now begins a patchwork of state and local laws that the ISP's are going to have to follow.

rrw1313

Premium Member

join:2001-03-05

Taylor, PA 3 recommendations rrw1313 Premium Member Sad but it's an example of something far worse. quote: the House and Senate voted to kill the rules in March along strict party lines. It shows that rather than do whats best for the United States and it's people the congresscritters are more concerned about doing whats best to get more brib... err... Campaign Contributions. And the very sad part is too many people vote either republican or democrat without looking at which candidates are best for the people of the country. While privacy being gutted is a bad thing I'm more concerned more about seeing the following or close to it way too often.It shows that rather than do whats best for the United States and it's people the congresscritters are more concerned about doing whats best to get more brib... err... Campaign Contributions. And the very sad part is too many people vote either republican or democrat without looking at which candidates are best for the people of the country.