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I believe one of the biggest blockers for ~right now~ is Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman. Anything around privacy will need the support of the FCC and, under the curren

I believe one of the biggest blockers for ~right now~ is Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman. Anything around privacy will need the support of the FCC and, under the current administration, they have clearly set a standard of favoring a hands-off approach. In fact, avoiding regulation is the number one philosophy bullet point on his profile - https://www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/ajit-pai https://www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/ajit-pai. While I am generally and very-broadly-speaking against regulation, I believe privacy and personal-data issues are definitely an exception for me. Edit: Really not trying to be partisan here, folks. Privacy laws are regulatory and it's not an opinion that the FCC doesn't want regulations - that's why I provided the link to the .Gov website for proof.

Despegar 7y ago
Why would it need the "support of the FCC"? Congress can pass a law anytime it wants and most likely they'll task the FTC in enforcing it. They could also create a brand new agency if they wanted to.
- bryanmgreen 7y ago
  Obviously FCC has no direct play into the legislative process, but government agencies always have high-levels of lobbying power. Not mention in this case there are overlapping levels of jurisdiction and philosophical differences between the FTC and FCC. Significant and impactful legislation needs the support of more than just the House and Senate.
  - rolltiide 7y ago
    Big stretch. Nice rationalization, but big stretch regardless.
Accujack 7y ago
To be fair, this isn't solely a problem from the current administration. Privacy laws in the US have not ever been updated for the computer age. It's still safer to send secret info in a paper letter than in an e-mail, because the laws have never been re-written. This is not surprising given the generation that's been in power since the 1970s. They didn't grow up with computers, and they don't understand them.
- bryanmgreen 7y ago
  You're 100% right that this isn't a problem that began or ends with the current administration. There's a lot of work to be done from every party and every age group! I was reflecting on what I what think is a ~current~ large obstacle and tried my best to keep my comment neutral, but thanks for clarifying.

Despegar 7y ago

Why would it need the "support of the FCC"? Congress can pass a law anytime it wants and most likely they'll task the FTC in enforcing it. They could also create a brand new agency if they wanted to.

bryanmgreen 7y ago
Obviously FCC has no direct play into the legislative process, but government agencies always have high-levels of lobbying power. Not mention in this case there are overlapping levels of jurisdiction and philosophical differences between the FTC and FCC. Significant and impactful legislation needs the support of more than just the House and Senate.
- rolltiide 7y ago
  Big stretch. Nice rationalization, but big stretch regardless.

Accujack 7y ago

To be fair, this isn't solely a problem from the current administration. Privacy laws in the US have not ever been updated for the computer age. It's still safer to send secret info in a paper letter than in an e-mail, because the laws have never been re-written. This is not surprising given the generation that's been in power since the 1970s. They didn't grow up with computers, and they don't understand them.

bryanmgreen 7y ago
You're 100% right that this isn't a problem that began or ends with the current administration. There's a lot of work to be done from every party and every age group! I was reflecting on what I what think is a ~current~ large obstacle and tried my best to keep my comment neutral, but thanks for clarifying.