The House voted Tuesday 215 to 205 to block internet privacy rules passed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last year. The FCC rules aimed to give consumers greater autonomy over how ISPs could use their data. The recently blocked internet privacy rules would have required ISPs to obtain permission from their customers before using their data to target them with advertisement.
As it stands, Senate Joint Resolution 34 (H. Res. 230) repeals broadband privacy regulations introduced by Obama’s FCC in 2016. Now, ISPs can share user data with advertisers.
A summary of S.J.Res.34 is as follows:
[This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission entitled “Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services.”
The rule published on December 2, 2016:
(1) applies the customer privacy requirements of the Communications Act of 1934 to broadband Internet access service and other telecommunications services,
(2) requires telecommunications carriers to inform customers about rights to opt in or opt out of the use or the sharing of their confidential information,
(3) adopts data security and breach notification requirements,
(4) prohibits broadband service offerings that are contingent on surrendering privacy rights, and
(5) requires disclosures and affirmative consent when a broadband provider offers customers financial incentives in exchange for the provider’s right to use a customer’s confidential information.]
The House has sent the bill to President Trump, who is expected to sign it into law.
