• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Network Security, News

ISPs Claim Data Collection is a Matter of Free Speech

Internet service providers claim that the state is violating their free speech rights because a statute requires consumers’ consent to sell personal data.

March 10, 2020 Jessica Messier Leave a Comment

AV/IT Integration trends, Big Data Technology for Business Finance Analytic Concept. , 2020 Enterprise IT trends,
Blue Planet Studio /stock.adobe.com

Four internet service providers (ISPs) are claiming that the state of Maine is violating their right to free speech by forcing them to ask their customers’ permission to sell their browser history, The Register reports.

Those ISPs, ACA Connects, CTIA, NCTA, and USTelecom, are suing Maine’s attorney general, Aaron Frey, and the chair and commissions of Maine’s Public Utilities Commission because a statute passed in 2019 “imposes unprecedented and unduly burdensome restrictions on ISPs’, and only ISPs’, protected speech.” The tighter focus on this is how the statute restricts how those ISPs communicate with their customers, and how those restrictions aren’t catered to protecting consumers’ privacy.

The ISPs claim that this statute is discrimination, and an excessive burden since other states haven’t had to do the same. Additionally, they feel it’s unfair that other large companies like Google and Facebook are allowed to sell consumers’ data with lesser restrictions, The Register says.

The Actual Beneficiaries

While these ISPs are unhappy that they have to gather consent to sell users’ data, the statute was put in place with users in mind: it prevents ISPs from retracting service from users who decline consent, and requires ISPs to take “reasonable measures” to guard their users’ data.

On top of that, ISPs played a role in swaying the FCC to “kill of its own rules” regarding similar protections to begin with, The Register says, which is fueling their argument to change these new rules surrounding consent. “The Statute is preempted by federal law because it directly conflicts with and deliberately thwarts federal determinations about the proper way to protect consumer privacy,” the lawsuit argues.

The Register says that a solution to this dilemma is federal privacy protections. However, there’s a good chance that won’t happen anytime soon– those same ISPs, among those suing Maine, and others, are handing over campaign contributions and money “to make sure that it doesn’t progress through Congress.” And, if this lawsuit is successful, other states’ privacy laws might see similar challenges.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: Data Collection, Data Security, Legal

Related Content:

  • Cloud, SASE, Aryaka How the Cloud is Redefining Media Production and…
  • Singlewire Software mass notification interview Singlewire Software on Mass Notification Solutions
  • URI catchbox 1 Catchbox Plus: The Mic Solution That Finally Gave…
  • Engaging virtual meeting with diverse participants discussing creative ideas in a bright office space during daylight hours Diversified Survey: Workplace AV Tech is Falling Short,…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Download TechDecisions' Blueprint Series report on Security Awareness now!Blueprint Series: Why Your Security Awareness Program is Probably Falling Short

    Learn about the evolution of phishing attacks and best practices for security awareness programs to ensure your organization is properly prepared to defend against them in this report from TechDecisions' Blueprint Series.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Downloads

Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces
Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces

Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-fa...

New Camera Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow
New Camera System Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow

Sony's HXC-FZ90 studio camera system combines flexibility and exceptional image quality with entry-level pricing.

Creating Great User Experience and Ultimate Flexibility with Clickshare

Working and collaborating in any office environment today should be meaningful, as workers today go to office for very specific reasons. When desig...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Contact Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.