Trump Signs Repeal of FCC’s Internet Privacy Rule

On April 4, 2017, President Trump signed legislation repealing the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) privacy protections adopted in October 2016. The regulations, set to go into effect later this year, would have required internet service providers (ISPs) to adopt stricter consumer privacy protections than websites like Google and Facebook. Among other things, the regulations would have required ISPs to obtain consent before sharing sensitive customer proprietary information, take reasonable measures to secure customer proprietary information, provide notification to customers, the FCC and law enforcement in the event of data breaches, and not condition provision of service on the surrender of privacy rights.

The regulations were opposed by many ISPs who felt that they would be at a disadvantage to companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook, who are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Because these companies offer internet services, and do not provide internet connection, they are subject to the less restrictive FTC regulations. While many ISPs have promised not to sell proprietary customer information, these promises are voluntary. President Trump’s repeal leaves the states as the only real possible enforcer of ISP privacy regulations.