House and Senate Increasing Activity on
Privacy
Congress is starting to become far more active on issues affecting privacy.
Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) will introduce legislation
today to establish a "Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights". The bill imposes
requirements on businesses which collect information on consumers to protect
personal data. It also requires notice to consumers about what data are
collected and requires consent. Although there are exceptions in the
legislation, they are not sufficient.
The NCISS Legislative Committee has reviewed a draft copy of the bill it
obtained earlier and will be working with the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science and Transportation as the bill goes through the legislative process
to to assure that the bill does not restrict lawful investigations.
The impetus for the legislation is consumer concern about the tracking of
online browsing, primarily by advertisers. However, the bill is not limited
to activity on the Internet. Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) has introduced
similar legislation (HR 611). Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) is
developing another version of the measure.
Also this week, the House Subcommittee on Social Security will be holding a
hearing on social security numbers and identity theft. Witnesses from the
Social Security Administration and Federal Trade Commission are scheduled to
testify. NCISS will be submitting testimony for the record as well.
Keeping the profession informed,
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Jimmie Mesis 
NCISS Legislative Chairman
NCISS
7501 Sparrows Point Blvd.
Baltimore, Maryland 21219-1927
(800) 445-8408 . Fax: (410)
388-9746
jim@nciss.org
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