U.S. Congress overturns regulations on Internet user privacy
U.S. Internet service providers are to be granted the right to use information about the websites users visit—or to sell that information to the advertising industry—without the users' consent.
After the Senate, the House of Representatives also overturned a corresponding ban by the telecoms regulator FCC late on Tuesday (local time). The vote was narrower than expected with 215 to 205 votes because 15 Republicans also voted against it. The decision, which particularly benefits internet providers such as AT&T and Verizon, will come into force when President Donald Trump signs it. According to his office, he supports the parliamentarians' stance.
Last fall, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) obliged providers to obtain users' consent for the use of browser data and to inform them immediately if information falls into the hands of hackers. Internet providers had criticized that the FCC regulation put them at a disadvantage in competition with online companies such as Google, Twitter or Facebook. Their argument was that data protection was already sufficiently protected by the rules of the FTC. The new FCC chief appointed by Trump, Ajit Pai, is also of this opinion. However, the FTC rules exclude browser history.
The MPs also prohibited the telecoms regulator from reintroducing similar protection mechanisms. Critics see data protection weakened, as internet providers are now allowed to use geodata or information about users' finances, health and children for marketing and advertising purposes.(SDA)
