"CyLab Proposes Improved, Consumer-Friendly Broadband 'Nutrition' Labels"

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon CyLab Security and Privacy Institute have been advocating for consumers for nearly 20 years, leading the charge by gathering insights and developing tools to better inform users about the technology they use and bring into their homes. CyLab has been developing innovative ways to communicate privacy information to users visiting websites or using mobile apps, as well as developing security disclosures for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Lorrie Cranor, CyLab Director and professor in CMU's Software and Societal Systems (S3D) and Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) departments, spoke at a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) virtual public hearing on broadband consumer labels. In January 2022, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to move forward with a proposal that would require broadband internet providers to display simple labels, allowing consumers to compare broadband services. Since 2009, the FCC has been experimenting with the concept of broadband labels. It developed templates for broadband providers to use in 2016. However, the industry was hesitant to adopt the new labels, and without legislation, the initiative fell. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now requires the FCC to require providers to create consumer-friendly labels with information about their broadband services. In response to the FCC's request for comment, CyLab conducted a large-scale user study with over 2,500 participants, determining what information is most important to consumers looking for broadband internet service and what terminology and presentation formats make this information most understandable and useful. This article continues to discuss the prototype layered design for a consumer broadband label developed by the Carnegie Mellon CyLab Security and Privacy Institute.

CyLab reports "CyLab Proposes Improved, Consumer-Friendly Broadband 'Nutrition' Labels"