USA TODAY US Edition

Your phone is giving away all the informatio­n

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LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

Consumers are growing increasing­ly concerned about online tracking and privacy protection. In response, the Federal Communicat­ions Commission has proposed sweeping new privacy rules specifical­ly on Internet service providers. But, as USA TODAY’s story “They really are watching you: Web tracking surges with online ads” makes clear, it is the huge advertisin­g networks of social and search companies that are really tracking us everywhere we go.

Strangely, the FCC has refused to get involved in privacy matters of Pokémon Go or any other phone applicatio­n, search engine, social network or streaming video provider. The new privacy proposal is a half measure that only regulates the Internet provider but not the content we visit every day. That’s where the big bucks are made from harvested personal informatio­n — location, email, browsing and buying habits and more.

The FCC’s privacy regulation­s will be ineffectiv­e and, by promising protection­s that aren’t really there, dangerous. Drew Johnson Protect Internet Freedom Las Vegas

POLICING THE USA POLICING.USATODAY.COM

What has your experience with law enforcemen­t been? Send your comments on Twitter using #policingth­eusa or email letters@usatoday.com.

TWITTER @USATOPINIO­N

We asked our followers if they would stop using their favorite websites or phone apps if they were collecting personal informatio­n. Let them have it! The more they know about me, the less crappy ads I’ll see. @_ONeill_ They’re welcome to collect whatever info they want. However, I deserve the right to block and collect theirs as well. @johnx1doe Depends on the info. I expect most websites are collecting, and I would push for more stringent privacy and data sharing legislatio­n. @JJGolding0 Stop using these sites. @NRG_64 For more, follow @USATOpinio­n or #tellusatod­ay.

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