ISPs May Tell Your Secrets, FCC Privacy Rules Reversed; Next No Internet Subsidies, ‘Fast Lanes’ Return

No secrets are safe anymore for Internet Service Providers (ISP) can now share or sell web browsing histories without prior consent. Trump has already affixed his signature to reverse the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) privacy rules. Next on the death row may be the broadband subsidies for low-income households and a return to the "fast lanes" or premium internet subscription.

The FCC privacy rules obliged home internet and mobile broadband providers to procure the opt-in consent of customers before sharing or selling web browsing history. This also includes app usage history and other private customer information. The rule was supposed to take effect in 2014, but before it could, the Senate, the House and now Trump repealed it.

In addition, the reversal of the FCC privacy rules could make customers more susceptible to hacking as ISP will no longer be required to notify customers of security breaches. Chris Lewis, VP of consumer advocacy group, Public Knowledge, also lamented that there is no longer any guarantee that Americans have a choice to divulge sensitive internet information that may be sold or freely given away.

Nonetheless, FCC chairman Ajit Pai expressed his approval on Trump's decision taking the stand that the FCC privacy rules are flawed and favor certain companies, not consumers. Pai revealed that he will be working with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and acting chair Maureen Ohlhausen to restore FTC authority on policing ISP's privacy practices. However, Pai has not disclosed any details or even a definite timeline regarding a concrete privacy plan, Ars Technica reported.

Republicans add their argument that the rule is unfair to ISPs and that these should also be imposed on web companies like Facebook and Google. The argument is not sound either for there is a big difference between the two. ISPs provide data while FB and Google set up their businesses on the internet.

There is no clear benefit to customers as ISPs now have the freedom to analyze web browsing history to their advantage particularly in the delivery of personalized ads. The reversal of the FCC privacy rules now allows ISP with own advertising networks like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon definite advantage to deliver target ads. Even those without their own networks can easily work with third parties for a mutually beneficial arrangement.

After reversing the FCC privacy rules, the next to be scrapped may be the net neutrality, which guarantees all net content is equally accessible. This could start by eliminating internet subsidies for low-income households, The New York Times reported. Broadband providers can now bring back the "fast lanes," which are the premium subscription for faster internet access.