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FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

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Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#61

Post by bradleyankrom »

devindotcom wrote: post #31
metaphorm wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's really hard for me to understand what the meaningful difference would be between penalty for opting out vs. bonus for opting in. don't those amount to the same thing, in practice?

heh pretty much yes, though I'm sure someone can think of times it would be different. and since penalties for opting out are not allowed, the ISPs will have to be very careful how they structure such bonuses - they would have to be perks totally separate from the service they provide is my guess.

this is more or less the practice used at gas stations that offer different prices for cash and credit (framed as a "cash discount"); also, not dissimilar to the debate over employer/insurer "wellness plans", wherein the employee is forced to choose between surrendering private information or paying premiums that are often 2-4x+ more than what those who participate in the plan pay.

Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#62

Post by wmf »

Spooky23 wrote: post #43
wmf wrote: post #6

I am kind of surprised that this wasn't already regulated, considering that telephone privacy has been an issue for decades. Perhaps this is a case of an unwritten common-sense policy that is only being codified when ISPs start to break it (e.g. AT&T's now-canceled "Internet Preferences").

Only landline phones have that kind of protection.

By that logic I have wired Internet so...

Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#63

Post by whatupmd »

supergeek133 wrote: post #27

In theory they were supposed to have my permission before sharing with the government too... right? Not sure what this stops. Think of it like when you authorize facebook or someone else to share data via OAuth, how many people read that list?

B2B and B2G are a whole different ball-game. In B2B scenario they are exposed to class-action lawsuit for bad-behavior or government fine. In B2G scenario really only thing individual citizen can do is take it to the supreme court.

Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#64

Post by guelo »

afarrell wrote: post #28

I wish the UK had this. Mobile phone/data providers send a header with HTTP requests to provide the site with your phone number which they can then use to charge you without permission.

HTTPS would avoid this. Though it's actually a perverse incentive for websites that want your phone number to not provide HTTPS services.

Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#65

Post by mcs_ »

ez_psychedelic wrote: post #58
devindotcom wrote: post #36

Interestingly there seems to be a loophole in that they can collect the data regardless of consent, but can't use or share it without consent. So chances are this sensitive data will be recorded and put in a database anyway, even if they're not lawfully allowed to look at it without anonymizing first - but a future law could also add an exception, keeping things for law enforcement for instance. I'm triple checking w…

This will probably just turn into a line in the terms and agreements that everyone just clicks "yes" because they have to in order to use anything.

In some cases it is already like that. The choice will be share or stay offline.

Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#66

Post by NegativeK »

gruez wrote: post #50
ncallaway wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It probably has to do with the advertised price. They probably can't advertise service as $49.95, then add an additional $20 charge if you opt-in to the privacy plan. They probably would need to at minimum advertise both prices in their marketing copy.

>then add an additional $20 charge if you opt-in to the privacy plan probably not a viable option because a VPN offers complete privacy from the ISP, and only costs $5/month.

VPNs are completely out of the question for the vast majority of internet users, who the FCC is mainly concerned about protecting.

Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#67

Post by devindotcom »

devindotcom wrote: post #36

Interestingly there seems to be a loophole in that they can collect the data regardless of consent, but can't use or share it without consent. So chances are this sensitive data will be recorded and put in a database anyway, even if they're not lawfully allowed to look at it without anonymizing first - but a future law could also add an exception, keeping things for law enforcement for instance. I'm triple checking w…

The FCC confirmed that yes, regardless of consent, the ISP can collect 'sensitive' information if it is anonymized/de-identified before use or sharing. The ISP does need to make it clear to the user what information is being collected, but there's no way at present to prevent them from collecting it at all. They're also barred from attempting to de-anonymize the data, though a third party probably could.

More info here:

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016...

Re: FCC Vote Means Internet Providers Need Permission to Share Your Data

#69

Post by devindotcom »

Something1234 wrote: post #59
devindotcom wrote: post #36

Interestingly there seems to be a loophole in that they can collect the data regardless of consent, but can't use or share it without consent. So chances are this sensitive data will be recorded and put in a database anyway, even if they're not lawfully allowed to look at it without anonymizing first - but a future law could also add an exception, keeping things for law enforcement for instance. I'm triple checking w…

Will you post the response to HN?

just did, fcc confirmed.
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