Dem super PAC hits GOP senators over internet privacy repeal

A super PAC aligned with Democrats will run digital ads attacking Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) over their support for a bill that would eliminate Obama-era internet privacy protections.

The ads from American Bridge 21st Century accuse the Republican lawmakers of voting to “sell your privacy to the highest bidder.”

Flake and Heller are considered two of the most vulnerable GOP senators up for reelection in the 2018 cycle. 

{mosads}The bill, which Flake introduced and Heller voted for, will roll back Federal Communications Commission rules that would have required internet service providers to get permission from customers before using their data to create custom ads. The measure passed the House and Senate last month without any Democratic support.

The ads, given exclusively to The Hill, will run this week ahead of a two-week recess for the Senate.

“Senator Jeff Flake led the charge to overturn FCC rules that kept consumer’s most private information safe,” Joshua Karp, a spokesman for the group, said in a statement.

“Because of Jeff Flake and Dean Heller, who have funded their campaigns with hundreds of thousands of dollars from the telecom industry, are giving their campaign donors permission to sell Americans’ internet history, from financial materials to health information, to the highest bidder. And not only is your online privacy for sale to big corporations — but so is the Republican Senate.”