April 4, 2017, Evanston, IL…….The measure blocking the online privacy rules is on the desk of President Trump, who is expected to sign it on Thurs, Apr. 6th. Here is quick history what happened leading to this point:
In 2015, the rules known as the Net Neutrality rules were provided and passed by the FCC treating broadband providers such as cable and phone companies tougher than internet companies such as Yahoo or Facebook, which are able to sell their consumer data under the Federal Trade Commission’s privacy framework, passed by the FCC. These rules restricted internet service providers from selling consumer data deemed “sensitive,” including app usage information and web browsing history, without consent. That data is used for targeted ads directed at consumers.
NOW… Republicans have since moved to kill off the FCC privacy rules that were slated to take effect later this year. The Senate voted to repeal the rules under the Congressional Review Act, with the House then following suit on Tuesday. The White House is reporting that on Thurs, April 6th, that Trump will sign the measure.
Democrats, consumer groups and have been banging the drum over the issue, and the public appears to be taking notice. According to the Free Press, The FCC has received upwards of 12,000 comments on the repeal within the last 30 days, well above the normal response. Advocacy groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Free Press, have also mobilized supporters on social media.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday also sent letters to a number of broadband providers ahead of the House vote on repeal, calling them out and urging them to oppose the GOP effort. Pelosi singled out AT&T, Century Link, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon among others, demanding to know their stance.
Even with Trump poised to sign the bill, privacy advocates say the fight isn’t over. They note that many states are moving to strengthen their own online privacy rules.
And while the FCC rules focused on internet providers, state privacy laws may cast a wider net.
Lawmakers in Illinois are considering legislation that includes a “right to know” measure that would let consumers know what data is being collected by companies like Google and Facebook. Illinois lawmakers are also poised to vote on regulations limiting geotracking and the use of microphones on internet connected devices.
Some big names have also joined the public pushback.
This made for some enjoyable late night TV. “Late Show” host, Stephen Colbert raised the issue on his show Wednesday, calling Rep. Marsha Blackburn‘s (R-Tenn.) arguments in defense of the repeal “bullshit.”