PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO DRAFT BILL WHILE ADDRESSING TECHNOLOGY POLICY INSTITUTE EVENT ON THE HILL

Washington, Mar 4 -

Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today gave the opening remarks on online privacy for the Technology Policy Institute’s event, “Online Privacy After the DOC and FTC Reports.”  After addressing the need for developing privacy standards that protect consumers’ online information while promoting innovation in the industry, Stearns outlined the goals and key provisions of the draft privacy legislation he is planning on introducing soon.

Said Stearns, “The goal of the legislation is to empower consumers to make their own privacy choices.  My draft legislation requires covered entities to provide consumers in clear and easy to understand language what information is being collected and how the information is being used.  It includes a provision for an FTC approved five-year self-regulatory program and prescribes requirements for a self-regulatory consumer dispute resolution process. This draft is based on legislation I introduced in 2005, H.R. 1263. This draft takes a different approach, but one I think balances privacy with innovation.”

“Last Congress, I worked with Rep. Rick Boucher on privacy legislation,” concluded Stearns.  “We attempted to address many of the issues and concerns I have spoken about this afternoon.  We received comments from over 70 different organizations, companies, academics, and concerned citizens.  These comments were very enlightening and many of the suggestions are included in my new draft.”