Do Not Track

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. Sen. John Kerry told the Senate Commerce Committee,” Modern technology allows private entities to observe the activity of Americans on a scale that is unimaginable, and there is no general law governing the collection and use of that data”. (Privacy Measure Draws Support, Jennifer Valentino-Devries 2011). Anyone logging online and surfing the net should be aware of the data mining and tracking practices of businesses and corporations in cyberspace. In a bipartisan effort Senators McCain and Kerry are working on a privacy bill of rights, the bill labeled the Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights Act of 2011, would impose new rules on companies that gather personal data. The US has laws to protect only certain types of data such as health care and personal finances unlike the European Union Directive on Data Protection which states that personal information cannot be collected without a consumer’s permission, and they have the right to review the data and correct inaccuracies. Drawing from the ideas in the European Union Directive Washington should compile legislation that will insure the same protection without overstepping the bounds of government intrusion as well as allowing free enterprise to work.

Every American should have the right to browse the internet without fear of having their every click being tracked, saved and sold to the highest bidder. This is why I would support The Do-Not- Track-Online Act of 2011 which could be an amendment to the Kerry –McCain bill consequently forcing companies to respect a consumer’s decision to opt out of data collection. With the Federal Trade Commission creating and implementing a Do Not Track mechanism, it will be similar to the Do Not Call list that prevents telemarketers from contacting consumers that have opted out of data collection with one request. Even though many popular web browser companies have now included Do Not Track features on their browsers these privacy laws are necessary to insure that companies online abide by a consumers request to not be tracked. I support any legislation that protects the privacy of consumers in cyberspace from the abuses of companies that collect and sell personal information for profit even though the advertising industry claims that this could cause major damage to their industry. A balanced approach with a law similar to the European Privacy Directive without impeding business would be the best policy for the protection of all American consumers.

References

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703899704576204932250006752.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/160035-rockefeller-unveils-do-not-track-bill
Matt B.