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FCC Votes to Block Data Security Rule: Consumers Union Urges Preservation of Broadband Privacy Protections

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today voted along party lines to block data security requirements included in the FCC’s broadband privacy rules passed last year. Though the requirements set to go into effect tomorrow did not include specific security requirements for internet service providers (ISPs), Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports, urged that the larger rule providing needed consumer protections not be undone.

Laura MacCleery, Vice President of Policy and Mobilization for Consumer Reports, said, “Today’s vote appears to be a troubling first step towards unraveling critical, pro-consumer online privacy protections. Internet service providers have a unique, all-access view into consumers’ daily online lives. Consumers deserve to know, and to have a say in, who uses their data and how. We have heard from more than 50,000 consumers who support these rules through petitions and comments directly to the FCC. We urge the FCC to focus on acting in the public’s interest — rather than the industry’s — and to maintain these critical rules.”