Trump signs bill repealing U.S. internet privacy rules

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Earlier this week, Trump delivered the final blow to the rules, implemented by the Federal Communications Commission previous year, that would have required internet providers to seek customers' permission before sharing their sensitive data with advertisers and other third parties.

The bill could eventually allow internet providers to sell information about their customers' browsing habits, AFP reports.

Without such rules, ISPs can analyze their customers' Web-browsing history in order to deliver personalized advertisements without seeking their prior consent. According to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, President Trump has "pledged to reverse" net neutrality rules passed in 2015.

President Donald Trump on Monday officially repealed federal privacy protections imposed a year ago on the likes of AT&T, Charter, Comcast and Verizon.

President Trump has signed into law Senate Joint Resolution 34 that nullifies the Federal Communications Commission's final rule titled "Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunication Services".

After Congress voted to repeal Obama-era FCC privacy protections last week, Comcast and other telecom companies have released lengthy statements to assure consumers that they're committed to online privacy.

Providers would also have been required to notify customers about the types of information collected and shared.

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While proponents of the FCC rules said it gave customers greater control over what ISPs can do with their data, Republican opponents argued it stifled innovation and gave internet giants such as Facebook, Google and Twitter an unfair advantage to collect more data to create targeted advertising.

The rules, which were yet to come into effect, would have required ISPs and mobile networks to get user permission before sharing and selling their private information to advertisers.

"Consumers deserve and expect one consistent set of online privacy protections and this action helps clear the way for a more uniform approach across the entire internet ecosystem, " said Jonathan Spalter, the CEO of USTelecom, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group for the industry, in a statement.

The providers have data on your web browsing history, app usage and geo-location.

Internet companies like Google don't have to ask users' permission before tracking what sites they visit.

We'll continue pushing for these specific privacy protections where we can. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday urged Trump to veto the bill. They said privacy should be more important than profits, and "most Americans believe that their sensitive internet information should be closely guarded".

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