Telecom Groups Urge FCC To Heed Feedback, Change Course on Broadband Privacy

Tom Wheeler promised to listen and learn from the public and providers before adopting final rules. "Well, the public’s verdict on Chairman Wheeler’s plan ... is now in -- and the result is clear. An overwhelming majority of the expert comments filed to date have urged the FCC to change course," the groups said in blog posted Wednesday. Initial comments were due May 27; replies are due June 27. The groups said privacy experts questioned the FCC's approach; other experts demonstrated the proposed rules were based on a flawed premise; commenters warned consumers would be harmed; and business and tech groups highlighted economic and technical problems. "The record makes clear that the best course is for the FCC to abandon its flawed approach and harmonize privacy regulation for broadband providers with the well-established and effective approach implemented and consistently endorsed by the FTC and the Obama Administration for many years and that has both protected consumers’ privacy and fostered unprecedented innovation, investment, and broadband adoption," the groups said. "This is the core of the Consensus Privacy Framework first submitted by a wide range of industry participants to Chairman Wheeler in March, which is a more efficient, pro-consumer and pro-innovation alternative. Chairman Wheeler promised to review the record and listen to the public. If he is to keep that promise, the FCC must change course." Public interest groups want the FCC to take its own approach (see 1606080034). The FCC didn't comment Thursday.