Consumer Watchdog Petitions FCC To Make Internet Companies Honor DNT
Consumer Watchdog petitioned the FCC Monday to enact rules requiring edge provider Internet companies like Facebook and Google to honor Do Not Track requests sent from a consumer’s Web browser, a Consumer Watchdog news release said. “New rules protecting net…
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neutrality and reclassifying broadband Internet access providers as common carriers that went into effect last Friday do not extend privacy protections to edge providers,” CW said. “Because the FCC has found that concerns about Internet privacy can hinder broadband deployment, rules to protect privacy, such as requiring companies to honor DNT requests, are necessary to promote improved broadband use.” All four major Web browsers, Apple's Safari, Google's Chrome, Mozilla's Firefox and Microsoft's Internet Explorer, have the capability to send a DNT request, but edge providers are under no obligation to honor it and most don't, said CW's release. “Ensuring that ISPs respect their customers’ privacy is important, but privacy rules covering companies like Google and Facebook are also necessary if people are going to trust the Internet,” said Consumer Watchdog Privacy Project Director John Simpson. “The FCC clearly has the authority it needs and must do everything it can to build that trust if it is to succeed in promoting timely broadband deployment.” Consumer Watchdog has proposed that edge providers’ offering a first-party online service that received a DNT request be prohibited from selling, sharing or otherwise transferring the personal information of the consumer to any other entity, including a third-party online service. Edge providers offering a third-party online service would also be required under the proposed rule to honor DNT requests and not collect or store consumers' personal data, it said. The FCC didn't comment.