Federal “Do Not Track” Bill Introduced
When the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its
privacy report in December 2010, it discussed the possibility of providing consumers, in a uniform and comprehensive way, the choice of whether to allow the collection and use of data regarding their online searching and browsing activities. However, the Commission admitted that it lacked the authority to establish such a requirement without Congressional authorization. A bill introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) would provide the necessary authorization.
H.R. 654, titled the “Do Not Track Me Online Act,” would require the FTC to establish standards for an online opt-out mechanism that would allow consumers to “effectively and easily” prohibit the collection or use of any “covered information.”
The bill would also require “covered entities” to disclose their information collection practices, including the names of those with whom the entities disclose such information. The bill allows, but does not require, the FTC to develop rules requiring covered entities to provide consumers with access to their data.
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