Internet privacy protesters raise $220,000 to buy Congress Internet data

Most Internet users are likely upset that Congress is wishing to remove their privacy protections, meaning their web history can be sold to the highest bidder by their Internet service provider. Basically, Congress wants to pass legislation that would allow ISPs to gather personal information from their users – including their Web Browsing History – and sell that data on to companies to aid in the targeting of their advertising. Rather than sit back and just take it, several Internet users have started crowdfunding campaigns to raise sufficient money to purchase that same kind of data from the members of Congress who voted for the legislation.

According to a report by the Washington Post, at least four crowdfunding campaigns have been set up and two of the campaigns are doing quite well having raised just over $220,000 at the time of writing. The two campaigns had also attracted more than 13,000 donors by this time on Thursday.

Misha Collins of ‘Supernatural’ starts crowdfunding

According to Entertainment Weekly, one of these campaigns was set up by “Supernatural” star Misha Collins and he has managed to raise just over $65,000 of his – maybe a little over the top – goal of $500 million. When Collins heard the news on Tuesday, he decided to set up the campaign, saying in its description that it was “great news,” that the house had voted to pass the legislation, adding that people will now be able to purchase the browser history of those people who voted to take everyone’s privacy and data away without their consent.

The second, reasonably successful, crowdfunding campaign was started by Adam McElhaney, a self-dubbed privacy activist and net neutrality advocate based in Chattanooga, Tn.

McElhaney’s campaign is, in fact, doing better than Collins’ efforts, as he has already raised more than $156,000, which easily beats his less ambitious target of $10,000. The description on his campaign urged everyone to donate so they can buy the Congress members history and make it publicly available, should the legislation pass.

The official legislation still awaits the executive signature of U.S. President Donald Trump.

ISPs will only sell anonymous data?

However, speaking for the Internet & Television Association, Brian Dietz told the Washington Post that ISPs haven’t previously sold customers’ personal details – as this has been illegal until now – and probably won’t do this in the future. He said the companies will want to retain their customers’ trust. However, it would be more likely for ISPs to sell general, more anonymous web browsing history to help companies with their demographics, but without linking that information to particular users.