As reported in the January 14, 2018, issue of the Bucks County Courier Times, Verizon is "suing Falls in County court over an ordinance supervisors passed in October to safeguard township residents' online privacy.
“Verizon's attorneys made clear this online privacy case against Falls might not be its last,” notes the Courier Times article. “The company wrote it might amend its complaint and return to county court if a judge rejects its challenge to Falls' ordinance. Verizon also ‘expressly reserves the right to pursue federal claims’ against the township, its attorneys wrote, arguing that the township ordinance violates federal law and constitutional provisions, though they did not specify which ones in the complaint.”
Even though local governments like Falls are likely to win the legal battle against Verizon to protect the privacy of citizens, officials of other towns like Lower Makefield and Newtown might be dissuaded from enacting protections because of the legal bills they would have to pay. Verizon has made it clear it will sue no matter what and it has deep pockets.
Not only that, but townships make money from Verizon in franchise fees. At the April 26, 2017, Board of Supervisors meeting, for example, Newtown Township Manager, Kurt Ferguson, pointed out that Newtown collects about $516,000 in franchise fees from Verizon and Comcast. Every decade Newtown and other local municipalities must negotiate franchise contracts with the cable companies. The township is currently in negotiation with Verizon (read “Protecting Your Online Privacy is an Important Local Issue!”).
What do you think? Should Newtown introduce a similar ordinance? Take the poll here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TDBRMR9