- New FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is moving to block Obama-era customer privacy rules that hold broadband providers to a stricter standard than websites.
- A spokesman for the chairman says Pai believes "all actors in the online space should be subject to the same rules," proposing "harmonizing" the FCC's approach with the FTC standards for "others in the digital economy."
- Rules set under the chairmanship of Tom Wheeler were set to take effect next Thursday, and Pai is pushing for the full FCC to decide the matter before then.
- If they don't, "then the Wireline Competition Bureau will stay that one element of the privacy rules pending a full Commission vote on the pending petitions for reconsideration consistent with past practice.”
- Likely broadband beneficiaries: T, VZ, CMCSA, CHTR, OTCPK:ATCEY, FTR, CTL, WIN, CCOI