OTI Urges FTC to Strengthen Broadband Data, Consumer Privacy

In two comments filed on Friday, May 31, 2019, New America’s Open Technology Institute (OTI) urged the Federal Trade Commission to improve the federal government’s broadband data and consumer privacy protections.

The first filing describes the lack of transparency from America’s internet service providers. Joshua Stager, senior counsel at New America's Open Technology Institute, testified on this subject at an FTC hearing in March. The following quote can be attributed to Mr. Stager:

“America’s broadband market is anticompetitive and opaque. Broadband providers like AT&T and Comcast do not disclose clear data on their prices, speeds, or availability. This secrecy leaves consumers and the government in the dark, which helps shield these companies from accountability. We welcome the FTC’s review of this market, but we need more transparency.”

The second filing argues that the FTC’s privacy regime must move beyond notice and consent to include company obligations and user rights. Eric Null, senior counsel at New America's Open Technology Institute, testified on this subject at an FTC hearing in November. The following quote can be attributed to Mr. Null:

“The FTC’s privacy regime needs a serious update. The FTC primarily polices companies based on their public promises, which grants companies wide latitude to set their own rules. But consumers want more than just a notice regime. It’s time the FTC consider placing more substantive requirements on companies, like data minimization, use restrictions, and granting users more rights to access, delete, and port their data.”