Internet kerfuffles leave me out of breath and confused, but if I get this correctly, consumers are now forced to rely on the integrity of internet service providers as distinct from relying on the rule of law. The big companies are free to find loopholes that will provide more money in future. This opening can be laid at the Republican doorstep, as usual: It repeals regulations without considering the impact even on individuals who voted for a right-wing menu.Comcast Corp, Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc said Friday they would not sell customers’ individual internet browsing information, days after the U.S. Congress approved legislation reversing Obama administration era internet privacy rules.
I do wonder if the Trump administration will EVER lay out a policy it hopes to pursue in place of picking its aging teeth on Obama's substantive efforts.
The big companies see Trump taking minor heat for this move, so they volunteer to be the good guys with a large announcement. When they change plans and decide to be the bad guys, there will be no announcement. Our privacy is now a commodity to be sold, and once the ruckus passes, it will be sold.
ReplyDeleteWe still may have some protection left, evidently. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 largely prohibits the sharing of “individually identifiable” information and, the Wiretap Act, passed in 1968, prevents most instances of divulging a person’s electronic communications without consent. The current legislation in question did not reverse either law. Evidently.
ReplyDeleteSee https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/03/30/raising-money-buy-congress-internet-browser-history-wont-work/
Re: Washingtonian
https://www.washingtonian.com/about/
If this is correct, then those who contributed towards that $225k to buy and expose specific Republican Congressperson's internet activity history will be unable to.