Cable, Wireless Companies Face New Privacy Rules

Federal Communications Commission officials soon will seek to impose new customer-privacy rules on Internet access providers, a move expected to fuel an already fierce conflict with the industry.

The new rules, which could be brought up at a March FCC meeting, are intended to help shield tens of millions of consumers from potentially unwanted use of their Internet data by the providers, many of whom are looking to boost profits by using customer data to sell more targeted advertising online. The Internet access companies—which include cable and wireless firms—are digging in for a regulatory fight, arguing that tough new FCC rules could put them at a disadvantage, particularly against Internet-services firms such as Google or Facebook that wouldn’t be covered by the new FCC rules. Those companies are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission.