USTelecom, ITI, TIA Critize ISP Privacy Rules
The FCC's new ISP privacy rules more closely align to the FTC's approach than initially proposed, but the areas of departure still are a disservice, said USTelecom President Walter McCormick Thursday. Those departures include classifying all web browsing as sensitive…
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information, he said: "The FCC’s argument that broadband providers have unique access to consumer information compared to other internet firms is simply wrong." He also said Chairman Tom Wheeler's push for a proceeding to consider a ban on mandatory arbitration clauses in service contracts "threatens to do a disservice to consumers who seek speedy resolutions to problems that may arise, and goes well beyond the agency’s statutory mandate." Information Technology Industry Council CEO Dean Garfield also was critical of the FCC's 3-2 vote Thursday to adopt the new rules (see 1610270036). The broadband privacy rules, if they match up with the FCC's summary, "will be problematic for the internet ecosystem at large," he said. And Telecommunications Industry Association CEO Scott Belcher said the privacy rules "place burdensome regulatory requirements on ISPs ... [creating] an uneven playing field" and disincentivizing investment. "Consumers will benefit the most if American companies are encouraged and supported as they seek to lead the world in making 5G and IoT innovations a reality," he said.