Don’t Repeal Common-Sense Privacy Rules
The resolution of disapproval that would repeal the
FCC’s privacy rules (H.J.Res. 86 and S.J.Res. 34) will harm Americans and our
internet economy.
This bill would wipe
out protections for Americans’ private communications, giving internet providers
the green light to sell that info without permission.
| Categories of Sensitive Communications Information | Protected Under Broadband Privacy Rule? | Protected Under this Resolution? |
|---|---|---|
| History of every website and app a consumer has visited or used, including history that reveals private interests and associations, such as visits to an addiction support forum, an online sports bookie, or a gun auction platform | YES | NO |
| Location, time, and destination/origin of online communications and activity, including text message history that reveals every person a customer exchanges text messages with, how often, and at what hours of the day | YES | NO |
| Video-on-demand history, including history that reveals prefer-ences for, for instance, political documentaries or religious programming | YES | NO |
| Information related to consumer finances or health | YES | NO |
| Precise geolocation of consumer devices at all times, day or night | YES | NO |
This resolution would
also eliminate the common-sense requirement that internet providers protect
this information from harmful cyberattacks and inform consumers when their data
has been compromised.
Under the FCC’s existing rules, internet providers must
adopt reasonable security measures to protect Americans’ information from
harmful attackers. If data is breached, the rules require internet providers to
inform consumers. If the resolution succeeds, there will no longer be any rules
on the books ensuring that providers shield consumers’ data from hackers or
inform customers of breaches.
This resolution will
stymie future attempts by the FCC to protect privacy.
Not only would this resolution eliminate existing
protections as outlined above, but it would prohibit the FCC from adopting
similar rules in the future, leaving no cop on the beat to protect consumers’
online privacy.
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