Consistent Privacy Framework Needed Across Entire Internet, Says AT&T's Brueggeman

A "coherent framework" with a single regulator to oversee and consistently apply privacy practices across the internet, including advertising networks, apps, browsers, devices, ISPs, operating systems and social media platforms, is needed, blogged Jeff Brueggeman, AT&T vice president-global public policy. Such privacy policies and protections "should be based on the sensitivity of the data from the consumer’s perspective, not the technology or company," he said. Federal and state legislation (see 1709180032 and 1709200053) will lead to a fragmented approach and only confuse consumers and hinder innovation and competition, he said Monday. He added that it's "simply false" that ISPs have more visibility into consumers' browsing activity than Facebook, Google and others, mainly because encryption increasingly is used, Brueggeman said. The digital ad market is expected to grow to $83 billion revenue, a 16 percent hike, this year. Whether the FCC or FTC should be the sole cop on the beat is still a matter of debate, he said. He noted Congress "wisely repealed" FCC ISP privacy rules (see 1704050037).