US president Donald Trump has signed a congressional resolution to overturn Internet privacy protection. This means service providers will have far greater latitude to sell customers’ online information.
The protections were approved just last October and hadn’t yet come into effect. They would have required broadband providers to get the users’ permission before collecting data on their online activities.
The Free Press Action Fund previously said the move strikes a blow against Internet users, allowing cable and phone companies to use their data without permission.
This information has huge value to broadband companies, the organisation says, and could include health or financial data.
It could also be used to foster discrimination, and unfair labour practices.