Coalition Calls on FCC to Protect Privacy of Broadband Consumers
A coalition of close to 60 advocacy organizations and the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to protect the privacy rights of broadband consumers and commence a rulemaking process on this issue immediately. With the reclassification of broadband as a Title II common carrier service, the FCC now has more enforcement capability around privacy.
The letter, which was directed to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, states, “Providers of broadband Internet access service, including fixed and mobile telephone, cable, and satellite television providers, have a unique role in the online ecosystem. Their position as Internet gatekeepers gives them a comprehensive view of consumer behavior and until now privacy protections for consumers using those services has been unclear.”
A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on Consumer Protection between the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission outlining interagency cooperation on privacy sets the table for a rulemaking process to begin.
“As adoption of broadband continues to accelerate and integrate across all aspects of our lives, the urgency to have clear privacy guidelines for providers of these services ratchets up significantly. The FCC has an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to protecting the privacy rights of Americans, while also removing a potential barrier to adoption for many,” said Chris Calabrese, CDT Vice President of Policy.
The letter is available here, and a detailed explanation and diagram of how certain Title II privacy protections should apply to broadband services providers is available here.
