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IPFS News Link • Government

FCC adopts controversial online privacy rules

• https://www.cnet.com, by Marguerite Reardon

In a 3-2 vote Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission passed new rules that for the first time give the agency the authority to police internet service providers, such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon, that share customers' sensitive personal information with third parties, like advertisers.

The FCC's new rules will require internet service providers to get a customer's explicit consent before they can use or share "sensitive" personal information. What constitutes sensitive information according to the FCC? Browsing history, mobile location data, TV viewing history, call and text message records, and information about what mobile apps you use.

The rules also require service providers to spell out to consumers what data they collect and why. And it requires service providers to notify customers of data breaches.