| While there is now a fuss over Facebook selling the private data of millions of users, it is likely overshadowed by the survielence of US citizens by the government since 9-11.
The same Washington politicos will likely be railing at Facebook for its lack of concern for privacy rights at a hearing in April, 2018 - Bob Weaver
THE GOLDEN LAND OF SURVEILLANCE
By Bob Weaver 2017
Under the pretext of combating terrorists, controversial agencies such as the NSA, CIA, RAW, GCHQ, and others have engaged in mass global surveillance, undermining the right to privacy.
It has become an Orwellian World.
Then there is Russia interfering with with a US election through cyber-war.
There is now a question as to whether the right to privacy can co-exist with the current capabilities of government agencies to access and analyze virtually every detail of an individual's life.
A major question is whether or not the right to privacy needs to be forfeited as part of the social contract in order to bolster defense against supposed terrorist threats.
The eroding of 4th and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution have been under fire since 9-11, and unfortunately most Americans don't seem to mind.
The US Congress, can your believe, just completed its overturning of the nation's strongest internet privacy protections for individuals in a victory for telecommunications companies, which can track and sell a customer's online information with greater ease to anyone.
House Republicans moved to dismantle rules created by the Federal Communications Commission last year.
Those rules, which had been slated to go into effect later this year, had required broadband providers to receive permission before collecting data on a user's online activities.
The action, which follows a similar vote in the Senate last week, was brought to President Trump, who signed the bill into law.
Further repeals are in the works for what many Americans consider rights to privacy.
Worse yet, lawmakers and Republican regulators at the F.C.C. have said they plan to target the 2015 classification of broadband as a utility-like service that they claim is strapped with strong regulatory oversight.
They are also set to seek the overturning of Obama-era net neutrality rules that forbade broadband providers from blocking, slowing down or charging extra for downloads of websites and apps. Follow the money.
Trump officials said the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces privacy policies created by web companies such as Facebook and Google, was the best agency to oversee broadband privacy.
The White House issued a statement just before the House vote expressing support for the overhaul of privacy rules.
Bits
Broadband companies immediately celebrated the vote. They promised they would honor their voluntary privacy policies.
"Today's vote removing another set of unnecessary regulations is a win-win for consumers and their privacy," said Jonathan Spalter, the chief executive of the broadband lobbying group USTelecom. "Online users will continue to have the consistent and strong privacy protections they require and the promise of continued innovation they expect from the internet."
Really?
Democratic lawmakers and regulators protested the vote, saying consumers had few options for high-speed internet service, which meant more government oversight of the companies was needed.
Broadband providers have an expansive view into consumers' online habits, including seeing what sites and apps are visited, which can expose sensitive information.
The F.C.C. rules would have given consumers greater power to stop companies from making money off such information, the Democrats said.
Mignon Clyburn, the sole Democratic F.C.C. commissioner, said in an interview. "The proprietary information these companies have at their disposal should not only be treated with care, but consumers should have a voice."
Now, you may go back to sleep.
See BIG BROTHER GETTING BIG EYES AND EARS - Coming To A Computer Near You
PATRIOT ACT RENEWAL CAUSING LITTLE CONCERN - Big Brother Not A Conspiracy Theory
OF PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS - Feeling Insecure About the National Security Agency
AMERICA'S SPY MACHINE ON DEMOCRACY - "Illicitly Spying On Virtually All"
FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS NSA PHONE EAVESDROPPING VIOLATES CONSTITUTION
THE DRONES ARE A'COMIN' - Would You Shoot Down A Hur Herald Drone?
HACKERS HAVE STOLEN 1.2 BILLION OF USERS PRIVATE INFORMATION - Golden Age Of Surveillance, Cyber Attacks
WV'S GIANT SURVEILLANCE EAR AT SUGAR GROVE BEING CLOSED
WARNING: THE GOLDEN AGE OF SURVEILLANCE - Homeland "Big Brother" Snooping, America Doesn't Mind
OF PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS - Privacy Died, And People Didn't Even Know It
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