The FCC has voted 3-2 along party lines to require internet service providers (ISPs) to get a customer’s explicit consent before they can use or share what is termed “sensitive” personal information.  That definition raises some eyebrows: according to the FCC’s rules, “sensitive” information includes browsing history, mobile location data, TV viewing history, call and text message records, and information about what mobile apps subscribers use.

The regulation was billed by the FCC as based on transparency, consumer choice and data security.