FCC Chairman Pushes Net Neutrality Rules in Favor of Trump's Agenda

FCC Chairman Pushes Net Neutrality Rules in Favor of Trump's Agenda

The U.S. House of representatives decided to annul a set of privacy regulations put into effect during the Obama Administration.  These regulations were for internet service providers created by the Federal Communications Commission last October.   Broadband service providers such as Comcast, Verizon, and AT and T would be required to obtain explicit consent before selling their customers’ web browsing histories, app usage data, and other personal information to thirdparties.  Republicans won the majority rule with a 215-205 vote. SJ-34 was written and cosponsored by several republicans with the effort of nullifying FCC’s rules.  The resolution, once signed by the President will go into full effect. The Senate passed this law 50-48 last Thursday.  The resolution was proposed through the Congressional Review Act. The Republicans are using the Congressional Review Act  was used several times to repeal regulations passed by federal agencies late in Obama administration. The resolution was approved so the FCC will not be able to create  the same privacy regulations for internet providers which will give companies access to your personal data and browsing history. The privacy rules were an addition to the open internet order.  The Open internet order put control of internet service providers’ activity in the hands of the Federal Communication  commission rather than the Federal Trade Commission. The open internet order classified the internet as utilitarian in function, and due to public usage, the open internet order blocked ISPs from prioritizing websites or blocking sites from consumers.  The FCC’s privacy rules would have forced internet service providers to gain consent from customers. FFC deemed sensitive data includes health information, geolocation, and financial data.  Web browsing and app using data would require consent under the privacy rules before being shared with advertisers.  According to FCC’s strict privacy guidelines, internet providers would be able to collect some types of personal data such as email addresses without permission before distribution. Republicans and FCC Chair claim that their aversion towards the privacy rules is that the regulations would apply not to Facebook and Google but to ISPs unfairly.  Looser FTC guidelines regulate ISP providers which explains ads popping up which are related to browsing history. ISP representing companies pushed to return jurisdiction of policy to the FTC rather than FCC to undo with the unfairness/ discrepancy of regulation of ISPs v. big companies. Google and Facebook are winning in the digital market and its competitors are verizon and comcast. These companies, in fear of the rules becoming a benchmark for how their data collection policies may be manipulated or changed in the future requested Congress to repeal the privacy policies regarding data collection. GOP officials are claiming that FCC has gotten out of line for creation of the privacy rules. Republicans have also challenged Obama FCC policies since 2015.Democrats argue in favor of the privacy policies because the ISPs charge fees for services while corporations like Google and Facebook provide free service.Due to the net neutrality order, there has been decreased investment in broadband networks. Pai is in favor of loose regulation of privacy laws zero- rating policies= data cap exemption= policies of various ISPs such as AT and T, Verizon, and T-Mobile and Comcast. An Ohio Republican house representative said he’s plan to introduce legislation that would return jurisdiction over to the FCC.  House democrats opposed this.

None of this is really surprising Donald Trump's agenda.  Shutting down the press to preserve his reputation because the press is putting attention on changes in the government being made to benefit people close to him at the expense of many who are opposed to his agenda.The Trump administration will, by repealing net neutrality, increase the digital divide, thus creating an even bigger rift between the rich and poor. I think this article is interesting because it involves the exclusion of groups in society in a place we would least expect.

http://www.businessinsider.com/house-republicans-kill-fcc-broadband-privacy-rules-2017-3