What’s next in the internet privacy fight
But this state of affairs may not last for long. Congressional Republicans say they’re working to amend FTC’s charter to bridge the regulatory gap between it and the FCC, adding that they may work that provision into a broader net-neutrality bill now under discussion. Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says his commission retains the power to enforce broadband privacy on a case-by-case basis. State governments have broad leeway in their ability to investigate and prosecute complaints brought by broadband users. And Minnesota and several other states have already sought to enact their own privacy protections aimed at limiting internet-service providers.
“We have options,” said Caleb Watney, a tech-policy associate at the free-market oriented R Street. “We’re not in this black hole, certainly.”
