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Disapproval of FCC regulations a significant blow against privacy protection

nytimes.com

11–20 of 242 posts

Re: Disapproval of FCC regulations a significant blow against privacy protection

#12
post #3

Is there anything the average user can do to protect their data/privacy from their ISP?

VPN is a solution but requires trust in VPN provider. OpenVPN on a VPS can help. Also, consider DNS traffic can leak information, but I've not read of a fool proof way to fully protect DNS queries.

Good VPNs have DNS leak protection now, and frankly, I recommend avoiding one that doesn't.

Re: Disapproval of FCC regulations a significant blow against privacy protection

#14
post #3

Is there anything the average user can do to protect their data/privacy from their ISP?

VPN is a solution but requires trust in VPN provider. OpenVPN on a VPS can help. Also, consider DNS traffic can leak information, but I've not read of a fool proof way to fully protect DNS queries.

[deleted]

Re: Disapproval of FCC regulations a significant blow against privacy protection

#15

The article's main argument is that the ISPs are selling something that doesn't belong to them, but to the consumer. I don't like the idea of my personal information being sold, but how could you state this as fact? Shouldn't it be up to the consumer to choose to do business with a company that sells your personal info vs a company that does not?

Via precedent set by protecting phone calls:

"For decades, in both Republican and Democratic administrations, federal rules have protected the privacy of the information in a telephone call. In 2016, the F.C.C., which I led as chairman under President Barack Obama, extended those same protections to the internet."

Re: Disapproval of FCC regulations a significant blow against privacy protection

#16

The article's main argument is that the ISPs are selling something that doesn't belong to them, but to the consumer. I don't like the idea of my personal information being sold, but how could you state this as fact? Shouldn't it be up to the consumer to choose to do business with a company that sells your personal info vs a company that does not?

That would be great, but privacy policies are unreadable and ISPs tend to be total or partial geographic monopolies anyway.

This is a classic case for regulation.

Re: Disapproval of FCC regulations a significant blow against privacy protection

#17

The article's main argument is that the ISPs are selling something that doesn't belong to them, but to the consumer. I don't like the idea of my personal information being sold, but how could you state this as fact? Shouldn't it be up to the consumer to choose to do business with a company that sells your personal info vs a company that does not?

You say that as if everyone had the ability to changes ISPs freely. Consumer choice is irrelevant if there's nothing to choose from.

Re: Disapproval of FCC regulations a significant blow against privacy protection

#19

The article's main argument is that the ISPs are selling something that doesn't belong to them, but to the consumer. I don't like the idea of my personal information being sold, but how could you state this as fact? Shouldn't it be up to the consumer to choose to do business with a company that sells your personal info vs a company that does not?

Regional monopolies are tolerated and the companies benefit tremendously from legislation and regulations that make it near impossible for meaningful competition to exist. Ideologically, the "harmful regulation" rhetoric is incredibly hypocritical.

Which is to say: most consumers have no choice among providers. That fact is a result of government action. If companies would tolerate legislation that would encourage increased competition in exchange for the right to sell consumer information, then you would be right. Of course, that isn't what happened here.

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