Congress Moves to Overturn Obama-Era Online Privacy Rules -
By CECILIA KANGMARCH 28, 2017
WASHINGTON — Congress completed its overturning of the nation’s strongest internet privacy protections for individuals on Tuesday in a victory for telecommunications companies
that can track and sell a customer’s online information with greater ease.
“Online users will continue to have the consistent
and strong privacy protections they require and the promise of continued innovation they expect from the internet.”
Democratic lawmakers and regulators protested the vote, saying consumers had few options for high-speed
internet service, which meant more government oversight of the companies was needed.
“This results in rules that apply very different regulatory regimes based on the identity of the online actor.”
Broadband companies immediately celebrated the House vote.
“Today’s vote removing another set of unnecessary regulations is a win-win for consumers
and their privacy,” said Jonathan Spalter, the chief executive of the broadband lobbying group USTelecom.
C.C., Tom Wheeler, had created a slew of overbearing rules for broadband providers
that would put them at a disadvantage relative to internet companies like Google and Netflix.
rules would have given consumers greater power to stop companies from making money off such information, the Democrats said.