FTC Should Strengthen Behavioral Advertising Principles - The Federal Trade Commission's proposed behavioral advertising principles aren't strong enough on their own to adequately protect consumers, according to comments filed jointly today by CDT, Consumer Action and Privacy Activism. Although the principles represent a solid first step in the process, protecting consumer privacy interests in this space will require a rigorous mix of self-regulation, enforcement of existing law, and the passage of new general privacy law. The comments include CDT's finding that there are several practices of concern occurring on the Internet today that remain unaddressed by current self-regulation. Based on this research and other industry developments, CDT, Consumer Action, and Privacy Activism recommend ways for the FTC to bolster several of its proposed principles. The groups also urge the Commission to explain how it will ensure industry compliance with the principles. April 11, 2008
Share this articleCompendium of Behavioral Targeting 'Sensitive' Definitions - CDT today released a compendium of definitions for those grappling with the question of what information should be considered "sensitive" in the online behavioral targeting context. Culled from an array of statutes, self-regulatory guidelines and policy proposals, the definitions address information about individuals that has been granted some measure of special treatment. Use of sensitive data is a key issue in the FTC's proposed self-regulatory principles released in December 2007. The compendium was developed in consultation with CDT's Internet Privacy Working Group. March 24, 2008
Share this articleCDT: Commission Needed to Explore Revamping Privacy Act - The Privacy Act of 1974 is in need of improvements to ensure its relevance into the future, CDT Deputy Director Ari Schwartz said in testimony before a congressional panel today. The Act’s limitations are particularly apparent with regard to government use of commercially compiled personal information, Schwartz told the Information Policy, Census, and National Archives Subcommittee. Commercial information plays a key role in important government functions, like law enforcement and national security. However, agencies relying on that data should have clear guidelines on its use. The role Privacy Impact Assessments play in protecting privacy is essential. Two bills help bolster PIAs: S.2341 lays out "best practices" guidelines and HR 4791 requires PIAs for government use of commercial databases. CDT believes Congress should create a Commission to review the Act and suggest possible reforms. March 11, 2008
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