Seattle Mayor Ed Murray on Wednesday announced new rules requiring internet service providers that operate in the city to notify and get permission from customers if they plan to sell web browsing history or other personal information.
The new Seattle IT rule is meant to protect internet customers after Congress passed a law earlier this year that repeals a Federal Communications Commission rule that gave customers some power over what internet companies can do with their information. The FCC rule was made last year and set to go into effect later this year.
“Where the Trump administration continues to roll back critical consumer protections, Seattle will act,” Murray said in a statement. “I believe protecting the privacy of internet users is essential and this policy allows the City to do just that. Because of regulation repeals at the national level, we must use all of the powers at our disposal to protect the rights of our residents.”
Murray’s new rules fall under the umbrella of Seattle law that gives the city authority over cable providers when it comes to privacy issues. According to the mayor’s office, Comcast, CenturyLink, and Wave have cable franchise agreements with the city of Seattle and will be subject to the new rule.
The cable companies will have to “report their compliance” with the new rules by Sept. 30. The city said the rules give people the ability to file a civil suit if they find their privacy has been violated by cable companies.