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Intel, Microsoft, and eBay support the legislation sponsored by Sens. Kerry and McCain that sets rules for the collection and storage of personal information and the right of consumers to correct mistakes and opt-out.
By Mathew J. Schwartz InformationWeek, April 13, 2011
Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday introduced "The Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights Act of 2011," a bill designed to protect people's personal information.
"Americans have a right to decide how their information is collected, used, and distributed and businesses deserve the certainty that comes with clear guidelines," said Kerry, in a statement. "Our bill makes fair information practices the rules of the road." ...
(Gregory PS: here is the bill summary, with full text available at kerry.senate.gov/ )
The 44-page bill calls for "reasonable procedures" to ensure that personally identifiable and sensitive information is accurate and securely stored. In addition, "the bill would require robust and clear notice to an individual of his or her ability to opt-out of the collection of information for the purpose of transferring it to third parties for behavioral advertising," according to a statement released by the senators. "It would also require collectors to provide individuals either the ability to access and correct their information, or to request cessation of its use and distribution."
The bill defines personally identifiable information as a first name or initial plus last name, postal address, email address, telephone or cell phone number, social security or other government-issued identification number, credit card account number, biometric data, or any unique identifier that could be used to identify a specific person.
It also lays out restrictions on collecting sensitive information such as data relating to a person's voice services, precise geographic location, religion, or medical condition.
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