Senate Leaves Consumers Vulnerable in Rush to Destroy Americans’ Online Privacy
Senate Leaves Consumers Vulnerable in Rush to Destroy Americans’ Online Privacy
Senate Leaves Consumers Vulnerable in Rush to Destroy Americans’ Online Privacy

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    Today, the United States Senate voted to pass a joint resolution dismantling online privacy protections created by the Federal Communications Commission’s 2016 Broadband Privacy Order by way of the Congressional Review Act. This bill not only terminates the FCC’s privacy rules but also prevents the agency from creating similar privacy protections in the future.

    The following can be attributed to Dallas Harris, Policy Fellow at Public Knowledge:

    “With less than 10 hours of ‘consideration,’ the Senate took the first step to eliminating a rule that put consumers in control of their data online. This vote is a clear sign that American interests come second to those of broadband providers. In a world where everything is increasingly digital, now there will be no rules preventing ISPs from selling your web browsing history without your permission — covering everything from the apps you use to your smarthome devices.

    “Without the FCC’s broadband privacy rules, Americans go from being internet users to marketing data — from people to the product. The Senate just used the Congressional Review Act to weaken consumer privacy online. Americans won’t forget.”

    Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.