Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a grading system to help customers compare the net neutrality and consumer privacy practices of internet service providers, effective July 1, 2019.

Highlights:

• Requires every internet service provider (ISP) to annually submit to the Department of Telecommunications and Cable an up-to-date report on its network management practices, performance characteristics, and commercial terms of services (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Department to compile that information into a publicly available registry that grades the net neutrality and consumer privacy practices of every ISP (Sec. 3).

• Requires every ISP to disclose to each customer its net neutrality and consumer privacy grade, along with the website and phone number for the registry, before entering into a service agreement (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that failure to disclose the grade is considered a deceptive practice under state law (Sec. 3).

• Establishes a Massachusetts Net Neutrality and Consumer Pracy Seal, which will be given to an ISP that provides equal access to an open and neutral internet, prohibits paid prioritization, and allows customers to opt out of third-party access to customer proprietary information (Sec. 3).

• Defines paid prioritization as the management of a network to favor certain traffic over other traffic in exchange for consideration, monetary or otherwise, from a third party or to the benefit of an affiliated entity (Sec. 3).

• Defines customer proprietary information to include financial information, health history, information pertaining to a customer’s child, browsing history, application usage, geolocation data, and driver’s license or social security numbers (Sec. 3).

• Requires these regulations to take effect on July 1, 2019 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text