Imagine a world where Comcast slows video streaming from Fox News’s website to a pixelated crawl while boosting Rachel Maddow-who happens to star on Comcast-owned MSNBC. What if Verizon, which owns the liberal Huffington Post, charged you more to visit right-wing Breitbart.
Category: Internet Service Providers
Clearing up the Senate’s confusion on FCC privacy rules
At oversight hearing on Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee confronted Federal Communications Commission Chairman Pai with questions over last week’s partial stay of the commission’s broadband privacy order. While privacy rules are certainly highly complicated, comments from some senators telegraphed a fundamental misunderstanding of what has been done to date to protect consumers, and given the current ecosystem, what the FCC’s proper role should be going forward.
The U.S. Senate wants to limit the FCC’s ability to regulate ISP data policies
Your internet service provider gathers a lot of information. Part of the Senate wants to limit the FCC’s ability to determine how that data is used.
Senators push FCC to keep its net neutrality rules
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission should reverse course and keep the net neutrality rules it passed just two years ago, several Democratic senators said Wednesday. The FCC has not yet moved to repeal the regulations prohibiting broadband providers from selectively blocking or slowing web traffic, but the agency’s new chairman, Republican Ajit Pai, has called the rules a “mistake.”
The battle for online privacy: What you need to know – CNET
CNET explains everything you need to know about the latest political battle over how your digital data should be protected. There’s a new Federal Communications Commission chairman in town.
U.S. Senate resolution aims to let ISPs share your private data without permission
A resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday aims to roll back privacy rules for broadband service providers that were approved by the Federal Communications Commission in October. The rules include the requirement that internet service providers like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon should obtain “opt-in” consent from consumers to use and share sensitive personal information such as geolocation and web browsing history, and also give customers the option to opt out from the sharing of non-sensitive information such as email addresses or service tier information.
US Senate resolution aims to roll back privacy rules for ISPs
A resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday aims to roll back privacy rules for broadband service providers that were approved by the Federal Communications Commission in October. The rules include the requirement that internet service providers like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon should obtain “opt-in” consent from consumers to use and share sensitive personal information such as geolocation and web browsing history, and also give customers the option to opt out from the sharing of non-sensitive information such as email addresses or service tier information.
Congress Takes Sledgehammer to Broadband Privacy Rules Through Congressional Review Act
Today Senator Jeff Flake introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to repeal the broadband privacy rules enacted by the Federal Communications Commission last October. The rules protect consumer privacy by requiring ISPs to seek affirmative consent before using or disclosing their customers’ sensitive information, including web browsing and app usage history, for marketing purposes.
Industry groups push Congress to roll back internet privacy rules
Conservative and telecom industry groups are pushing lawmakers to undo privacy regulations passed by the Federal Communications Commission last year under the Obama administration. In a letter sent Tuesday to the top members of the Senate Commerce Committee, the groups called for lawmakers to use the Congressional Review Act to eliminate the privacy rules.
Telecom giants can finally stop caring about protecting your data
For a brief moment, the personal data you gave to Verizon, AT&T and Comcast was protected from their corporate whims. But last week, new Republican Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai suspended customer privacy protections put in place under the last FCC administration just last year.
It’s Time To End Net Neutrality
The change in Administration brings fresh thinking to what had become an epicenter of 1934 regulatory thought – the Federal Communications Commission . Under the prior Administration, the FCC was twice chastised by the courts for attempting to impose net neutrality on Internet Service Providers .
FCC, in potential sign of the future, halts new data security rules
The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday halted new government rules related to data security from taking effect this week, in a potential prelude to a broader repeal of privacy protections for users of high-speed internet. After a 2-to-1, party-line vote by the Republican-led commission, Ajit Pai, the chairman, announced that a portion of privacy rules passed in October would be temporarily stayed.
7 Ways to Lower Your Internet Bill
Even if you’re happy with your current internet service, you might be paying too much for it. Here are ways to check if you’re getting good value for your money and tips for lowering your monthly internet bill.
Us FCC stays data security regulations for broadband providers
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has halted new rules that would require high-speed internet providers to take ‘reasonable’ steps to protect customer data. In a 2-1 vote that went along party lines, the FCC voted Wednesday to stay temporarily one part of privacy rules passed in October that would give consumers the right to decide how their data is used and shared by broadband providers.
Senate Dems hit FCC chairman on consumer data risks
Democratic Senators slammed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai for his recent move to abandon new FCC rules on how internet service providers can use customer data Ed Markey Senate Dems hit FCC chairman on consumer data risks Dems rip Trump administration for revoking Obama’s transgender directive A guide to the committees: Senate MORE Xbox launches subscription service Senate Dems hit FCC chairman on consumer data risks Last chance to improve Afghanistan’s fledgling Air Force? MORE Xbox launches subscription service Senate Dems hit FCC chairman on consumer data risks The Hill’s 12:30 Report MORE Xbox launches subscription service Senate Dems hit FCC chairman on consumer data risks Education’s DeVos, unions need to find way to bridge divide and work together MORE cited security concerns while criticizing Pai’s decision not to enact the broadband privacy provisions … (more)
FCC Chair: Net Neutrality a Mistake
Calling the Open Internet Order adopted by the Federal Communications Commission two years ago a “mistake,” new FCC chairman Ajit Pai today told attendees at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the agency intends to return to a “light-touch approach” to regulations. MWC 2017, running this week from Feb. 27-March 2, is the mobile industry’s largest annual conference and expo.
Overnight Tech: Dems fire back on net neutrality, internet privacy |…
DEM FCC COMMISH VOWS TO FIGHT FOR NET NEUTRALITY: The lone Democratic commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission joined with activists on Capitol Hill Monday to commemorate the anniversary of the agency’s landmark net neutrality rules and vowed to fight to defend them. “Now it is time for us to once again roll up our sleeves and fight for the protections embodied in the Open Internet Order, that are designed to ensure that the internet remains an open platform, that enables free speech, freedom of expression and the ability for innovation to flourish,” said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, speaking alongside representatives from civil rights groups and advocates of net neutrality.
Week ahead: Net neutrality supporters rally on rule’s second anniversary
The fight over net neutrality is heating up as the landmark internet rules hit their two-year anniversary on Sunday. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has already begun chipping away at net neutrality, which requires internet service providers to treat all web traffic the same.
Internet privacy rules headed for showdown
In a showdown over Internet privacy, the newly conservative Federal Communications Commission and the Republican-led Congress are trying to block tough Obama administration rules that limit how broadband Internet providers use their customers’ personal information. At stake is the way Internet service providers such as Comcast Corp., AT&T Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc. use and store the sensitive data they collect, including customers’ locations, their financial information, Social Security numbers, and Internet browsing habits.
The FCC just rolled back some of its privacy rules, reversing previous positions
While previous FCC rules sought to protect consumers from ISPs, the new administration doesn’t seem to agree with these guidelines The FCC is under new leadership, and it’s looking to scale back some of the privacy regulations of the previous administration. On Friday, the newly appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission asked the organization to delay a set of the privacy rules that was initially slated to take effect next week.
Why the FCC delayed new privacy regulations for AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast
By stepping back from Obama-era privacy rules, the Trump Administration’s FCC has made another decision that’s likely to benefit internet service providers, but not internet users. Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Ajit Pai and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler testify at a House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing on the FCC’s FY2016 budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington March 24, 2015.
FCC head puts the brakes on new ISP privacy rules
In the latest chip at net neutrality , Federal Communications Commission has Chairman Ajit Pai has moved to put a halt to a set of privacy rules designed to shield customers’ personal data from internet service providers. The rules were approved by the FCC under former Chairman Tom Wheeler back in October and would have required an ISP to ask for a user’s explicit permission before collecting data on browsing habits, app usage and location or financial information.
It looks like the FCC wants to roll back rules that’d force…
Federal Communications Commission boss Ajit Pai is pushing to halt part of an Obama-era set of privacy rules that would require internet service providers to get explicit consent before they share consumers’ browsing data and other personal information with advertisers. Some background: Those rules were approved this past October under previous FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, who stepped down once President Trump took office .
FCC Chairman Goes After His Predecessor’s Internet Privacy Rules
The newly appointed Republican chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is moving to scale back the implementation of sweeping privacy rules for Internet providers passed last year. Chairman Ajit Pai on Friday asked the FCC to hit pause on the rollout of one part of those rules that was scheduled to go into effect next week.
ISPs who don’t want competition get good news from FCC chair
The Federal Communications Commission is preparing to eliminate a requirement that Charter Communications compete against other ISPs with new broadband deployments spurred by its purchase of Time Warner Cable. The FCC’s approval of the merger last year required Charter to deploy broadband with download speeds of 60Mbps to at least 2 million residential and small business locations, of which at least 1 million must be in areas served by at least one other high-speed provider.
FCC rolls back net neutrality ISP transparency rules
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has voted to roll back some net neutrality regulations that require broadband providers to inform customers about their network management practices. The Republican-controlled FCC on Thursday suspended the net neutrality transparency requirements for broadband providers with fewer than 250,000 subscribers.
FCC’s Rural Broadband Plan is Digital Favoritism, not Digital Empowerment, WISPA says
“Today’s decision is a squandered opportunity for the American taxpayer and rural Americans. This plan is digital favoritism, not digital empowerment.”
The new FCC boss has taken his latest shot at today’s open-internet laws
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted along party lines to exempt more internet service providers from an enhanced transparency rule that requires them to fully inform customers on any promotional rates, extra fees, and data cap and throttling policies they may apply. The rule was initially enacted as part of the 2015 Open Internet Order, which more famously set in place the net-neutrality rules that prevent ISPs from giving preferential treatment to certain internet services.
The new FCC boss has taken his latest shot at today’s open-internet laws
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted along party lines to exempt more internet service providers from an enhanced transparency rule that requires them to fully inform customers on any promotional rates, extra fees, and data cap and throttling policies they may apply. The rule was initially enacted as part of the 2015 Open Internet Order, which more famously set in place the net-neutrality rules that prevent ISPs from giving preferential treatment to certain internet services.
Trump says GOP import tax could create jobs
President Trump tiptoed closer to the House Republican plan to adjust corporate taxes at the border, saying Thursday that the reform would boost jobs. “It could lead to a lot more jobs in the United States,” Trump said of the proposal, speaking from the Oval Office in an interview with Reuters.
FCC rolls back net neutrality ISP transparency rules
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has voted to roll back some net neutrality regulations that require broadband providers to inform customers about their network management practices. The Republican-controlled FCC on Thursday suspended the net neutrality transparency requirements for broadband providers with fewer than 250,000 subscribers.
Illustration of Ajit Pai by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times
One of President Trump’s less publicized appointments also happens to be one of his best: Ajit Pai as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is a cause for celebration. Mr. Pai possesses not only a keen legal mind and a great familiarity with the intricacies of the FCC ‘s current operations, he also favors new policies that are friendly to both the short- and long-term interests of consumers.
‘Bridge to nowhere’? So far, a middle mile with revenue problem
“Most people sort of forget that there’s a reason nobody has [previously] built fiber in Western Massachusetts. The economics don’t work.
Trump’s new FCC boss has already set the stage for a less open…
Last week, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau closed multiple inquiries led by former Chairman Tom Wheeler into the data-cap exemption – colloquially known as “zero-rating” – policies of various internet service providers, including AT&T , Verizon , T-Mobile , and Comcast . Previously, Wheeler, who stepped down once Trump took office, oversaw a monthslong back-and-forth between the FCC and those ISPs.
What the Net Neutrality Rollback Means for Netflix Users
Under President Donald Trump’s newly-minted chairman, the Federal Communications Commission is quickly working to eliminate regulations created to ensure internet service providers grant equal access to all web content – the rules commonly known as “net neutrality.” The shift is part of an unspooling of FCC policies from the Obama administration.
How Ajit Pai could impact your Netflix stream
Under President Donald Trump’s newly-minted chairman, the Federal Communications Commission is quickly working to eliminate regulations created to ensure internet service providers grant equal access to all web content – the rules commonly known as “net neutrality.” The shift is part of an unspooling of FCC policies from the Obama administration.
Ajit Pai and the FCC’s Role in ISP Privacy Regulation under President Trump
On January 23, 2017, President Donald Trump named Ajit Pai as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission . In his previous role as the senior Republican on the FCC under President Barack Obama, Mr. Pai was an outspoken critic of the agency’s decision to assert jurisdiction over Internet Service Providers and its rules governing broadband privacy.
Marketers express hope for a more pro-business FCC under Ajit Pai
Marketers are welcoming the appointment of new Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai, who took over from Tom Wheeler last week. The Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies expressed hope that Pai will overturn many of the sweeping privacy rules that were enacted by the agency under his predecessor Tom Wheeler, which limited data gathering, use and sharing by internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast.
What Happens If Net Neutrality Goes Away?
The “days are numbered” for the net neutrality rules enacted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission under Barack Obama, at least if you take President Trump’s newly appointed FCC chairman Ajit Pai’s word for it. So what happens after they are gone? Pai , an FCC commissioner since 2012, was a harsh critic of the agency’s ” Open Internet Order ,” which it passed in 2015 via a 3-2 party line vote.
cyberWill Trumpa s Trolls Allow His FCC Pick to End the Open…
It seems unlikely that President Trump’s internet base – the trolls and activists from 4chan, Reddit, Twitter, and elsewhere, whose “meme magic” helped the president dominate social media during the election – would be able to find much common ground with opponents of the new administration. The online “Trump Train” has a vituperative hatred for the snowflakes and SJWs of the Democratic Party, and there are no issues on which the meme magicians wouldn’t fall into lockstep behind the man they call “god-emperor.”