CNN.com Op-Ed:Congress should follow California’s lead in protecting consumers

by Jeff Sovern

My latest, here. The conclusion:

When it comes to these varied privacy problems, Congress has somehow managed to be both comatose and angry. Given its inability to respond nimbly in the rapidly shifting privacy arena, Congress should avoid hamstringing those who can. Any federal privacy law should preserve the power of states to protect consumers so states can continue experimenting and respond quickly to privacy challenges. Congress should also increase the FTC's budget and give the Commission the power to issue regulations. Congress should follow California's lead in obliging companies to tell consumers upon request what they know about them and what they do with the information. If Congress cannot help, it at least should not make things worse.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *