FCC Wades Back Into Data Privacy and Security for ISPs With Revised Privacy Proposal

Alan Friel and Suchismita Pahi of BakerHostetler write:

Recently, Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) Chairman Tom Wheeler circulated to the Commission a revised proposed order to regulate the data privacy and security practices of internet service providers (ISPs) (also known by the Commission as broadband internet access service (BIAS) providers). We previously wrote about the Commission’s initial proposal in this regard (available here), which was criticized by the industry and even the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as inconsistent with data privacy standards applicable to the rest of the internet (e.g., social media platforms, search engines, etc.). Based on a fact sheet issued by Chairman Wheeler’s office (available here), the revised proposal, which is set to be voted on by the full Commission on Oct. 27, 2016, strives to be more consistent with the FTC approach to privacy and data security, but with special considerations for the telecom industry.