FCC reportedly to block privacy rules

WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators today will move to stop certain privacy regulations from going into effect that were designed to safeguard consumers' personal information from hackers and criminals, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

The stay by the Federal Communications Commission will release broadband companies such as Verizon, Comcast and AT&T from previously approved rules requiring them to adopt "reasonable" security measures protecting Social Security numbers, Web browsing history and other information belonging to their customers.

Without that portion of the rules, Internet providers will not need to implement consumer protections that prevent the unauthorized release of Americans' personal data.

The security rules were set to go into effect early next month. But after petitions from numerous industry groups, the FCC is now attempting to put the data security rules on ice.

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