Proposed FCC rules would limit how Internet service providers can use data
By Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times
Internet service providers would face tough new restrictions on how they could use the personal information of their customers, including their Web-browsing activity, according to privacy regulations proposed this month by a top federal regulator.
In most cases, cable and wireless companies that offer broadband service would need permission from customers to use or share the vast and potentially lucrative trove of data collected about them as they surf the Internet, send email or use mobile apps, the Federal Communications Commission said.
“Simply by using the Internet, you have no choice but to share large amounts of personal information with your broadband provider,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in article on the Huffington Post.
Imagine that your local telephone company eavesdropped on all your calls to find out what things you were interested in and then shared your interests with other companies which then called you and asked if you wanted to buy their brand of whatever. That is what is going on here and it is a clear violation of the 4th Amendment.
You: “Hi, Mom, we had the kids over last night and I made a wonderful meatloaf. They really like having a home-cooked meal. Thanks for showing me how to cook years ago.”
Mom: “That sounds great, I’m glad the kids liked it. Did you make the chocolate cake, too?”
You: “No, we had some chocolate cookies I made.”
Later… phone rings… Marketer asking what kind of meat you used and where you got it. Asking what brand of chocolate you used to make your cookies yesterday. And offering you a coupon for chocolate cake…
Downright creepy, right? We have to stop this if we want to be free from corporate stalking.