EFF: Large ISPs Lying to Californians to Kill New Privacy Law

California is considering new broadband privacy protections after the GOP and President Trump voted to dismantle the FCC's consumer broadband privacy protections earlier this year at the behest of giant broadband providers. On June 19, California Assemblymember Ed Chau introduced AB 375 (pdf), which, like the FCC rules it's intended to replace, requires that large ISPs are very clear about what consumer data is being collected and sold to third parties.
It also requires that consumers opt in if ISPs want to share more personal data (like web browsing histories or financial information).
And it goes a little further than the FCC rules would have, in that it prohibits ISPs from punishing customers who chose to opt out -- or charging them more money if they want to protect their own privacy.

Not too surprisingly, the EFF says that large ISPs are throwing millions of dollars -- and plenty of misleading arguments -- at the California legislature ahead of a vote on the proposal this week. The group obtained letters being sent by large ISPs to legislatures insisting these companies have done nothing wrong, and that the legislation is unnecessary.

"EFF obtained copies of their letters and feel it is vitally important California’s elected officials know that the industry is unloading a plethora of misleading arguments, some of which they themselves are actively contradicting in other forums," states the group.

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