WASHINGTON – The Obama Administration announced a blueprint for a “Privacy Bill of Rights” to Protect Consumers Online.The blueprint will guide efforts to give users more control over how their personal information is used on the Internet and that their personal informatin is safe online.
“American consumers can’t wait any longer for clear rules of the road that ensure their personal information is safe online,” said President Obama. “As the Internet evolves, consumer trust is essential for the continued growth of the digital economy. That’s why an online privacy Bill of Rights is so important. For businesses to succeed online, consumers must feel secure.”
According to the Statement, the advertising industry also committed not to release consumers’ browsing data to companies who might use it for purposes other than advertising, such as employers making hiring decisions or insurers determining coverage.
Check it. WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE: We Can’t Wait: Obama Administration Unveils Blueprint for a “Privacy Bill of Rights” to Protect Consumers Online
Internet Advertising Networks Announces Commitment to “Do-Not-Track” Technology to Allow Consumers to Control Online Tracking -The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
Check it. The Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights: Are We the Consumers, Or Are We the Product?
“Yes, we want Google, Facebook, and all other online services to keep our information private. But if we want them to remain free, something’s gotta give” -Bloomberg Buisnessweek
Check it. Money Minute: Privacy ‘bill of rights’ isn’t good enough [Video]
“The White House’s privacy guidelines are just that — guidelines. They’re voluntary, and companies can still decide how much (or little) privacy protection to offer users. But the bigger issue here is the lack of an opt-in provision. As it stands, the administration’s privacy bill of rights would still require people to opt out of having their personal info used or shared by websites.” -LA Times
Not Enough
The major problem is as the LA Times David Lazarus points out, this blueprint does very little by being a voluntary program. In this age of less regulation of business, business interests come before consumers and individual privacy rights.