Privacy Legislation on Congress’s Agenda for Next Term

Privacy reform is gaining traction and much needed attention in Congress as at least two new bills are slated for public debate. First, San Francisco Representative Jackie Speier (D) plans to introduce an online privacy bill next week that would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create a “do not track” program and would enable consumers to “opt out” of tracking by online advertisers. Similarly, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) is also planning to introduce a privacy bill that provides a safe harbor for marketers who participate in any federally created “do not track” mechanism. This legislation comes in the wake of the FTC’s own privacy report last year which urged Congress to “support a more uniform and comprehensive consumer choice mechanism for online behavioral advertising.” If this recent activity is any indication, then 2011 is shaping up to be a big year for internet privacy.