A bill to establish privacy protections for customers of broadband Internet access service and other telecommunications services.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (6 Apr 2017): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
This bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create new privacy rules for companies that provide broadband internet and other telecommunications services. These regulations would require these companies to inform customers about how their personal information is collected, used, and shared.
Specifically, companies would need to get explicit customer permission, or "opt-in approval," before using or sharing sensitive customer information such as financial details, health information, data about children, Social Security numbers, precise location data, or browsing and app usage history. The bill also states that companies cannot deny service if a customer does not agree to the use of their data for commercial purposes. Additionally, telecommunications companies would be required to establish data security practices and notify customers in the event of a security breach.
The bill was introduced in the Senate in April 2017 by Senator Ed Markey and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. If passed by Congress and signed into law, the FCC would have 180 days to develop these regulations and another 180 days for them to take effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate customer privacy regulations that require telecommunications services, broadband Internet access services, and interconnected VoIP services to:
• notify a customer about the collection, use, and sharing of customer proprietary information that is individually identifiable customer proprietary network information, personally identifiable information, or the content of communications;
• obtain opt-in approval from a customer to use and share sensitive customer proprietary information about financial or health information, children, Social Security numbers, precise geolocation, content of communications, call detail information, web browsing or application usage history, or other customary proprietary information that the FCC determines to be sensitive;
• not refuse to serve a customer who does not consent to the use and sharing of customer proprietary information for commercial purposes under a "take-it-or-leave-it" offer;
• develop data security practices; and
• notify customers of security breaches.
The FCC must also implement strong protection for de-identified customary proprietary information to prevent re-identifying such information.
Timeline
6 Apr 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 878 do?
- This bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create new privacy rules for companies that provide broadband internet and other telecommunications services. These regulations would require these companies to inform customers about how their personal information is collected, used, and shared. Specifically, companies would need to get explicit customer permission, or "opt-in approval," before using or sharing sensitive customer information such as financial details, health information, data about children, Social Security numbers, precise location data, or browsing and app usage history. The bill also states that companies cannot deny service if a customer does not agree to the use of their data for commercial purposes. Additionally, telecommunications companies would be required to establish data security practices and notify customers in the event of a security breach. The bill was introduced in the Senate in April 2017 by Senator Ed Markey and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. If passed by Congress and signed into law, the FCC would have 180 days to develop these regulations and another 180 days for them to take effect.
- Has S. 878 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 878. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 878?
- S. 878 was sponsored by Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA), with 12 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 878?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (6 Apr 2017).
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