Vizio Viewer-Tracking Scheme a ‘Clear Case of Deception,’ Public Knowledge Says

Public Knowledge hailed the FTC on its settlement agreement with Vizio (see 1702060042) for “stepping in to protect consumers’ privacy in this clear case of deception,” Policy Fellow Dallas Harris said in a Monday statement. “Most importantly, the FTC has determined that information such as consumer viewing history is in fact sensitive information that should require a consumer’s affirmative express consent before being collected,” she said. “This places the FTC’s privacy framework squarely in line with the broadband privacy rules recently passed by the FCC.” Efforts to use the Congressional Review Act to repeal those FCC rules “would create a double standard,” where ISPs would be allowed to collect and use consumers’ personal information without their consent,” said the lawyer. “Congress should ensure that these privacy protections remain in place.”