Trump Eliminates Obama-Era Rule That Protects Americans’ Internet Privacy

In a massive win for big corporations like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast, Donald Trump signed into law on Monday a repeal of Obama-era consumer protections that would have forced internet providers to get consent before being able to use the private data of internet users, like financial information and browsing history.

With the stroke of a pen, Americans can kiss their internet privacy good-bye.

Last week, Republicans in Congress just barely advanced the legislation to the president’s desk, with zero Democrats voting in favor of the consumer protection repeal.

The move by Trump to sign it into law is a body blow to advocates of internet privacy and a win for internet service providers. It’s also the latest act by the president that proves he had no intention of draining the swamp. Instead, he has been the president of special interests and the wealthy.

More via CNBC:

The bill repeals regulations adopted in October by the Federal Communications Commission under the Obama administration requiring internet service providers to do more to protect customers’ privacy than websites like Alphabet’s Google or Facebook.

The rules had not yet taken effect but would have required internet providers to obtain consumer consent before using precise geolocation, financial information, health information, children’s information and web browsing history for advertising and marketing.

While the president moves to undo consumer protections and make personal data available to big corporations, he continues to be one of the most secretive and corrupt presidents in history – and he’s only been in office since January.

It’s hard to stomach the idea that Trump, a guy with countless financial ties as well as shady and still-unknown connections to Russia, thinks the American people need to disclose more of their personal information.

You first, Mr. President.



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