Senate Votes to Reverse FCC Consumer Internet Privacy Rules The regulations were intended to require more transparency on the part of ISPs.

By Nina Zipkin

Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The U.S. Senate voted today to repeal a set of rules approved under the Obama administration that were meant to safeguard consumer data from being collected by internet service providers without a user's knowledge or consent.

The regulations were set to go into effect in February, but were halted by current FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. In early March, a bill to reverse the rules was introduced by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). The vote was narrowly split along party lines, with 50 Republicans for it and 48 Democrats against. The measure will now go to the House of Representatives to be voted on at a to-be-determined date.

Related: FCC Chairman Pledges to Undo Net Neutrality Rules

Had the rules been implemented, ISPs would have been required to get a customer's permission before using and sharing information such as geolocation, financial information, health information, children's information, social security numbers, web browsing history, app usage history and the content of communications.

Additionally, it would have required ISPs to provide customers with clear, conspicuous and persistent notice about the information they collect, how it may be used and with whom it may be shared, as well as how customers can change their privacy preferences.

At the time of their adoption, then FCC Chair Tom Wheeler said: "The bottom line is that it's your data. How it's used and shared should be your choice."

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here's How Much a Typical Google Employee Makes in a Year

Compensation for the median Google employee was up 5% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to a new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

A Loyal Customer Asked Him to Cater One Event. Now, He Runs More Than 1,000 a Year.

Sebastien Centner of Eatertainment discusses the five percent rule, his creative partnership with his wife and delivering more than what's on paper.

Leadership

'If You're an Educated American, You've Already Won Life's Great Lottery': Dana Perino on Chasing Your Goals and Rethinking What Success Really Means

In her new book, "I Wish Someone Had Told Me," Fox News Channel host Dana Perino shares the best advice she's ever received.

Marketing

He Lost Billions as Apple's Forgotten Co-Founder. Now He's Pitching a Beloved Apple Beer

Busch Light Apple is back, and it found the perfect spokesperson

Business News

Jeff Bezos-Backed Tesla-Rival Launches an 'Affordable' and Customizable EV Truck. Here's What It Looks Like.

Slate Auto has launched its reservation site, where truck buyers can create a vehicle with a spate of customizations.