Consumer Federation of California Applauds Landmark FCC Internet Privacy Rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The FCC voted 3-2 today to establish basic privacy protections that place consumers in charge of the sharing of sensitive personal information by broadband Internet access providers. Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California stated, "We congratulate FCC Chair Tom Wheeler for his leadership, and Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel for voting to protect our private information from abuse by the corporations who are the gatekeepers to the internet. The three Commissioners withstood massive pressure by AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and other internet access giants who would prefer to have unfettered power to profit off of our most private data."

The new FCC rules prohibit Internet access providers from sharing without consumer authorization sensitive data including personal financial, medical or geolocation data, web browsing history or online communication data. The Consumer Federation of California, sponsor of Privacy Revolt!, collected and submitted 5880 individual comments to the FCC calling on the agency to adopt strict privacy regulations.

"The CFC looks forward to working with the FCC as it implements these rules and tackles important remaining issues including restricting pay-for–privacy schemes and broadband internet contracts that deny consumers access to the civil justice system when privacy violations occur," Holober stated.

Since 1960, the nonprofit Consumer Federation of California has been a powerful voice for consumer rights.

SOURCE Consumer Federation of California