The FCC’s privacy regulations will be ineffective.
Letter to the editor:
Consumers are growing increasingly concerned about online tracking and privacy protection. In response, the Federal Communications Commission has proposed sweeping new privacy rules specifically on Internet service providers. But, as USA TODAY’s story “They really are watching you: Web tracking surges with online ads” makes clear, it is the huge advertising networks of social and search companies that are really tracking us everywhere we go.
Strangely, the FCC has refused to get involved in privacy matters of Pokémon Go or any other phone application, search engine, social network or streaming video provider. The new privacy proposal is a half measure that only regulates the Internet provider but not the content we visit every day. That’s where the big bucks are made from harvested personal information — location, email, browsing and buying habits and more.
The FCC’s privacy regulations will be ineffective and, by promising protections that aren’t really there, dangerous.
Drew Johnson, Protect Internet Freedom; Las Vegas
We asked our followers if they would stop using their favorite websites or phone apps if they were collecting personal information. Tweets edited for clarity and grammar:
Let them have it! The more they know about me, the less crappy ads I’ll see.
— @_ONeill_
They’re welcome to collect whatever info they want. However, I deserve the right to block and collect theirs as well.
— @johnx1doe
Depends on the info. I expect most websites are collecting, and I would push for more stringent privacy and data sharing legislation.
— @JJGolding0
Stop using these sites.
— @NRG_64
