14 DAY TRIAL // Say "goodbye" to your privacy as the US Senate voted on Thursday to make it easier for broadband providers to sell private information about their users to marketers.
The decision was a highly expected one, as lawmakers decided whether to keep or dump privacy rules adopted by the previous Federal Communications Commission. Now, with a new leadership that is opposed to mostly everything the previous FCC did, there is an expectation for many substantial changes.
The joint resolution from senator Jeff Flake that uses the Congressional Review Act to prevent privacy rules passed by the FCC last year from taking effect was voted down 50 to 48.
What's more, and maybe even worse, is that the resolution would prevent the FCC from ever taking similar steps to protect consumers in the future. Therefore, even if a different FCC chief is set in place, one that seeks to protect Internet users, nothing could be done.
The measure still needs to go through a vote in the House of Representatives, so, in theory, there's still some hope.
More protection for Internet users
The rules were adopted back in October and would require broadband providers to explicitly ask consumers' permission before sharing their sensitive information, such as browsing history, app usage or even location with third parties, such as advertisers. Up until now, the rules said that the companies should just offer consumers the opportunity to opt out of such data sharing, something that almost never happens because people either don't know or don't have the time to search for ways to opt out.
"Today, 50 members of the U.S. Senate voted to sell their constituents most personal information to the highest bidder. They used a blatantly undemocratic Congressional procedure to gut basic protections that prevent Internet Service Providers like Comcast and Verizon from selling their customers personal information to marketers without their permission," said Evan Greer, campaign director for digital rights group Fight for the Future.
Greer goes on to point out that many of these lawmakers receive large campaign contributions from the industry groups who lobbied for this move.
"The controversial measure passed by a narrow margin. This is evidence that many members of Congress are still scared of angering the Internet. And they should be. Internet users are increasingly aware of how legislation and FCC rules impact our basic rights, and we are prepared to fight to defend them," Greer adds.