After Congress passed a bill to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) broadband privacy rules designed to protect consumers’ web browsing data, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) are assuring customers that their data is safe. In separate statements, the companies said that they do not sell customers’ data, but instead utilize the information collected with the permission to serve them better and improve services.

Comcast

In a statement, Comcast said:

“We do not sell our broadband customers’ individual web browsing history. We did not do it before the FCC’s rules were adopted, and we have no plans to do so.”

The company said that reports – claiming that the congressional action to overturn the regulatory overreach of the prior FCC will permit ISPs to sell sensitive customer data without permission – are misleading.

“This is just not true. In fact, we have committed not to share our customers’ sensitive information (such as banking, children’s, and health information), unless we first obtain their affirmative, opt-in consent,” Comcast said.

The company noted that it continues to comply with various federal laws protecting privacy, such as the Communications Act, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, as well as dozens of state privacy and data security laws.

Verizon

In a separate statement, Verizon said it “does not sell the personal web browsing history of our customers. We don’t do it and that’s the bottom line.”

The company noted that it has two programs that use web browsing data. But neither of these programs involves selling customers’ personal web browsing history, Verizon said, adding that customers have a choice about participating in both programs.

“The Verizon Selects advertising program makes marketing to customers more personalized and useful — using de-identified information to determine which customers fit into groups that advertisers are trying to reach. The other program provides aggregate insights that might be useful for advertisers and other businesses,” the company said.

AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) said that the Congressional action will have zero effect on the privacy protections. The company said it is “just plain wrong” that the CRA vote eliminated consumer privacy protections.

“The reality is that the FCC’s new broadband privacy rules had not yet even taken effect. And no one is saying there shouldn’t be any rules. Supporters of this action all agree that the rescinded FCC rules should be replaced by a return to the long-standing Federal Trade Commission approach. But in today’s overheated political dialogue, it is not surprising that some folks are ignoring the facts,” AT&T said in a statement.

Shares of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) closed down 0.50% on Friday. The stock is down 2.3% so far this year.

Shares Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) closed up 0.23% on Friday. CMCSA is up nearly 9% year-to-date.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) shares were closed down 0.63% on Friday. The stock is down 8.67% this year so far.