Internet Privacy Safeguards Overturned by Congress: Strategies for Moving Forward
In the wake of the repeal of federal online privacy rules by the Republican-led Congress, consumers may feel concerned about their personal data being sold to marketers without their consent. However, there are practical measures that individuals can adopt to safeguard their privacy.
One effective method is the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts internet traffic, acting as a middleman between the user and their Internet Service Provider (ISP). This encryption hides the sites visited from the ISP, thereby preventing them from easily tracking browsing activity or selling that data.
Another strategy is to opt out of data sharing when possible. Depending on state laws, such as California's evolving CCPA regulations, consumers can exercise their rights to opt out of data sale or sharing with third parties. Additionally, browsing only HTTPS-encrypted sites prevents ISPs from seeing specific website content.
Privacy-focused browsers and search engines, like Tor or browsers with tracking protections, also reduce ISP visibility. Regularly reviewing and managing privacy settings on both ISPs and devices can help limit data collection and sharing.
It's worth noting that states like California, Colorado, and Virginia have stronger consumer privacy protections that include rights to access, erase, and limit sharing of personal data. California's new regulations, effective from 2026, will require businesses to conduct cybersecurity audits and offer increased consumer rights regarding automated decision-making and personal data sales.
Consumers should stay informed about such local laws and regulatory changes for enhanced protection avenues. For instance, the New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for allegedly hiding data concerning its system for gathering public input about its plan to end net neutrality.
However, switching broadband providers to protect privacy may not be possible due to lack of competition in the market. The net neutrality law passed by California last month is now on hold due to a deal with the DOJ to delay its implementation until a federal lawsuit over net neutrality is resolved.
Some companies may try to block VPNs to prevent unlicensed content access and to block hackers. Nonetheless, consumers should remain vigilant about data use disclosures from their ISPs and understand how providers use their data, utilizing rights to object or restrict processing where applicable.
In summary, while federal protections have weakened, consumers can still safeguard their data by using encryption tools, exercising opt-out rights under state laws, adjusting privacy settings, and staying vigilant about data use disclosures from their ISPs.
Data-and-cloud-computing technology plays a crucial role in preserving privacy, as it allows for the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to encrypt internet traffic and safeguard users' browsing activities from being tracked or sold. Meanwhile, politics also intersects with privacy matters, as evidenced by lawsuits like the one filed by The New York Times against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding data-related transparency issues.
