FCC halts new rules on data security
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday halted new government rules related to data security from taking effect this week, in a potential prelude to a broader repeal of privacy protections for users of highspeed internet.
After a 2-to-1, party-line vote by the Republican-led commission, Ajit Pai, the chairman, announced that a portion of privacy rules passed in October would be temporarily stayed. The rules, which were to take effect Thursday, required high-speed internet providers like AT&T and Comcast to secure customers’ data against hacking.
Mr. Pai said the commission should not be engaged in policing of broadband providers over online privacy. He said the Federal Trade Commission should oversee the broadband and web industries.
“All actors in the online space should be subject to the same rules, enforced by the same agency,” Mr. Pai said in a joint statement with Maureen Ohlhausen, the trade commission’s acting chairwoman.
The vote on the data security rules was Mr. Pai’s latest move to roll back regulations created by his predecessor, Tom Wheeler, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama.
And the FCC vote wasn’t the only action Thursday against Obama-era policy.
The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it is withdrawing an Obama-era request that oil and natural gas companies provide information on methane emissions at oil and gas operations.
Meanwhile, earlier this month the House approved a measure to stop implementation of Mr. Obama’s 2014 “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” order, which was designed to ensure that contractors “understand and comply with labor laws.” Senate action is expected soon. The order had been stalled, if not killed by, a federal court ruling in Texas.
And next week, President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order directing the new EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, to start the lengthy legal process of unwinding Mr. Obama’s regulations for cutting greenhouse pollution from coalfired power plants.