Though the proceeding is complicated, the FCC is unlikely to provide much more time, if any, for comments on its ISP privacy NPRM, teed-up by a divided commission at the March 31 meeting (see 1603310049), industry observers said. The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) filed a letter last week asking the agency to extend the comment deadlines 60 days (see 1604130054).

Though the proceeding is complicated, the FCC is unlikely to provide much more time, if any, for comments on its ISP privacy NPRM, teed-up by a divided commission at the March 31 meeting (see 1603310049), industry observers said. The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) filed a letter last week asking the agency to extend the comment deadlines 60 days (see 1604130054).

The FCC is seeking comments but the majority that voted to approve an ISP privacy NPRM March 31 will impose rules that closely follow the proposal, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly predicted on a TechFreedom podcast. “The fix is in.” O’Rielly and Commissioner Ajit Pai voted against the NPRM (see 1603310049). Meanwhile, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) filed a letter asking the FCC to extend by 60 days the deadline for commenting. And a commission representative defended the proposal.

The FCC is seeking comments but the majority that voted to approve an ISP privacy NPRM March 31 will impose rules that closely follow the proposal, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly predicted on a TechFreedom podcast. “The fix is in.” O’Rielly and Commissioner Ajit Pai voted against the NPRM (see 1603310049). Meanwhile, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) filed a letter asking the FCC to extend by 60 days the deadline for commenting. And a commission representative defended the proposal.

At a Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee lunch Friday, speakers predicted that Congress will wade more deeply into privacy over the summer, as the FCC takes comments on its NPRM. The FCC is likely to push forward with ISP privacy rules while FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler remains in office, Paul Gallant, analyst at Guggenheim Partners, said in a note to investors Friday. But Gallant also saw a note of hope for ISPs in comments by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted for the NPRM Thursday (see 1603310049).

At a Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee lunch Friday, speakers predicted that Congress will wade more deeply into privacy over the summer, as the FCC takes comments on its NPRM. The FCC is likely to push forward with ISP privacy rules while FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler remains in office, Paul Gallant, analyst at Guggenheim Partners, said in a note to investors Friday. But Gallant also saw a note of hope for ISPs in comments by Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted for the NPRM Thursday (see 1603310049).

The FCC on Thursday, over strong protests by Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Ajit Pai, approved 3-2 an NPRM seeking comment on privacy rules for ISPs. The notice poses more than 500 questions as it probes rules for Internet providers in the wake of last year’s net neutrality rules, which reclassified broadband as a Communications Act Title II service, giving the FCC new jurisdiction. FCC officials said the change in classification necessitated ISP privacy rules. The NPRM also looks at broad changes in the agency’s customer proprietary network information (CPNI) rules.

The FCC on Thursday, over strong protests by Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Ajit Pai, approved 3-2 an NPRM seeking comment on privacy rules for ISPs. The notice poses more than 500 questions as it probes rules for Internet providers in the wake of last year’s net neutrality rules, which reclassified broadband as a Communications Act Title II service, giving the FCC new jurisdiction. FCC officials said the change in classification necessitated ISP privacy rules. The NPRM also looks at broad changes in the agency’s customer proprietary network information (CPNI) rules.

One big area of contention as the FCC moves forward on an NPRM on ISP privacy rules, set for a vote Thursday, is how well the FCC is positioned to take on the issue, especially relative to the FTC. The FCC has had long-standing rules on carrier protection of customer proprietary network information (CPNI), but critics questioned the level of FCC expertise on the highly technical issues of privacy.

One big area of contention as the FCC moves forward on an NPRM on ISP privacy rules, set for a vote Thursday, is how well the FCC is positioned to take on the issue, especially relative to the FTC. The FCC has had long-standing rules on carrier protection of customer proprietary network information (CPNI), but critics questioned the level of FCC expertise on the highly technical issues of privacy.