Posted on 03/30/2017 8:03:20 AM PDT by Freedom56v2
What if your telecom company tracked the websites you visit, the apps you use, the TV shows you watch, the stores you shop at and the restaurants you eat at, and then sold that information to advertisers?
In theory, it’s possible, given the stance Washington is taking on online privacy.
Lawmakers on Tuesday voted to overturn privacy rules that required telecom companies to get customers’ permission before sharing their web-browsing and app usage history with third parties. The White House said Wednesday President Donald Trump intends to sign the measure into law.
Undoing the rules, which had been adopted last fall by the FCC but hadn’t gone into effect, is a boon to Verizon Communications, Comcast and AT&T, which are all in the process of building data-driven digital ad businesses to complement the broadband, wireless and TV services they offer.
The telecom providers had argued the rules put them at a competitive disadvantage to online ad giants Google and Facebook, which generally aren’t regulated by the FCC.
Google and Facebook have built huge businesses powered by reams of data they collect about consumers’ online actions, both on their own properties and across the web. That trove of information largely explains their dominance -- combined, they have a roughly 47% share of the global digital ad market, according to eMarketer.
But online advertising executives say telecom providers potentially have access to more powerful data than the two tech powerhouses. Their networks -- both wired and wireless -- could give them a window into nearly everything a user is doing on the web.
“ISPs like Verizon can now start building and selling profiles about consumers that include their friends, the news articles they read, where they shop, where they bank, along with their physical location,”
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
I posted another thread last night about this--my son called me late last night very concerned about this. He is an IT guy in San Jose and feels we are losing more privacy rights.
House Schedules Vote on Eliminating Consumer Online Privacy Rights Next Week http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3539349/posts
Given what is going on in Washington DC right now regarding surveillance, I hope the Trump administration will pull the plug on this...I don't like Google and Facebook doing this...but to allow Verizon and AT&T to do it as well is just plain crazy!
What are these Republicans thinking?!?!
I am going to email Trump my concerns.
If Trump signs this, I will be very disappointed.
This will take our odds of winning over Millenials from 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000,000.
Once again the lapdog GOP gives 100% effort to whatever their corporate over lords request.
This seems like an appropriate response: http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3539413/posts
If they’re paying for my internet history, they’re wasting their money.
This means that anyone can do it...not just the government.
There’s a big upside:
One might start directing their private affairs in private....without the nonsensical idea that laws will protect your nonchalance.
Is Ryan folding this in with raising the debt ceiling bill or some other must-pass bill?
The President does not have a line-item veto but he can certainly call Ryan before it is voted on and tell him to get rid of this.
But if they can’t sell our browsing history, where are they going to find the money to wine and dine and contribute to members of Congress?
Generaqlly librarians will not divulge a person’s book check-out history.
I think that is one reason the check-out cards (remember back in Grade School?) are not used anymore.
PS I have a High School library book, purchased at a surplus sale, that has my Dad’s name on the check out card.
Hmmmm. Where is it? BOLO out for that book. It is in a safe place.
It’s pretty easy to avoid the ‘ad giants’ they mentioned but a lot harder to avoid using any telecom ISP. I wonder how many Virtual Private Networks will spring up in response to this.
What are these Republicans thinking?!?!
***********
Never try to understand what a Republican is thinking, saying, or doing. Its futile.
But if they can’t sell our browsing history, where are they going to find the money to wine and dine and contribute to members of Congress?
**************
Bingo! This kind of schmoozing goes on everyday in Washington. Its what DC is all about.
We have the best government money can buy.
We often joke about there not being a dime's worth of difference between Republicans and Democrats. Hi-tech policy is one area where this is literally true.
If I have searched for specific types of products on amazon.com, ads for those kinds of products start popping up in many other websites I visit. FR is an exception. It’s actually an invasion of privacy. For example, suppose I’m searching for a gift for someone in my family, a member of my family is using my computer, and ads for those actual or potential gift items start showing up. Or, more seriously, suppose I’m a political candidate, and my opposition is given information about my computer habits.
Is it a free market thing? Like they think a telecom will use privacy as a means to compete with other internet providers that give away browsing history?
Freegards
Is Ryan folding this in with raising the debt ceiling bill or some other must-pass bill?
The President does not have a line-item veto but he can certainly call Ryan before it is voted on and tell him to get rid of this.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/34/text
It will go on to President Trump’s desk...and I believe he will direct the rule to change which is why I am emailing him right now.
Yes...maybe...like my longtime best friend and I who actually WRITE snail mail letters...and talk in person when we can...living 6 hours apart. I think FB is seeing a drop in private revelations already.
If Trump signs this, I will be very disappointed.
Like many things, I think he needs to hear from the people...in DC, there are waaaay too many swamp monsters :(
I am emailing him....it is referred to as S.J. Res. 34.
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