The Wall Street Journal notes today that Senators John McCain and John Kerry – both of failed presidential election fame – are pushing for bi-partisan support of a bill that would hamper the attempts of those looking to harvest your internet information. Coming close on the heels of a similar decision by European countries (which they aren’t ready to enforce), the bill proposes that all “web sites” on the “internet” request permission before logging information about you. It also allows the user the right to see what information has been gathered on you. How you authenticate your identity to see these things is another issue altogether.
The good thing is that both sides agree that some rules need to be laid down, but I’m not totally convinced that this will end well. The government has had quite a few murmurings about internet privacy in the past year or so (and I think they’re all due at least in part to the hubub regarding Facebook) In December 2010, the FTC wanted to create a “do-not-track” list similar to the current “do-not-call” list. A bill was introduced in January with this theme. Private think-tank headJules Polonetsky, (“netsky”? try SKYNET!)may be called upon to lead the Commerce Department’s new privacy office.
This specific bill is aimed at a wide range of data. Included are names, addresses, and any other information used to identify a certain computer. It would also establish a committee to enforce the bill. As long as they gather information from intelligent sources, and fully understand what they’re passing (Man, I’m funny) I’m okay with it.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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