Larry Downes: “Why Congress’s Rejection Of Proposed FCC Data Rules Will Not Affect Your Privacy In The Slightest” (Forbes)

Forbes

The Internet is buzzing this week over a House vote Tuesday to permanently bar proposed FCC regulations regarding data collection and use first published in December from taking effect. The rejected regulations were a radical departure from policies enforced by the Federal Trade Commission since the dawn of the commercial Internet. They would have required ISPs—and only ISPS—to obtain affirmative consent or “opt-in” from every individual user before collecting and using information for any purpose, including the placement of contextual advertising. Congress was right to disapprove them. But just to be clear, the net impact on your privacy of this action, assuming President Trump approves the resolution, will be absolutely zero.