NTIA seeks public input on consumer data privacy issues.
Press Release Summary:
In March 5 Federal Register notice, National Telecommunications and Information Administration is requesting comment on substantive consumer data privacy issues that warrant development of legally enforceable codes of conduct, as well as procedures to foster development of codes. NTIA seeks comments on what issues should be addressed, including mobile apps, cloud computing services, accountability mechanisms, online services directed toward teenagers/children, and trusted identity systems.
Original Press Release:
NTIA Seeks Public Input on Consumer Data Privacy Issues
In a March 5 Federal Register notice, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is requesting comment on substantive consumer data privacy issues that warrant the development of legally enforceable codes of conduct, as well as procedures to foster the development of these codes. Comments are due by 5 p.m. Eastern on March 26, 2012.
The call for comments follows on the heels of the February 23 release of Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World: A Framework for Protecting Privacy and Promoting Innovation in the Global Digital Economy (the "Privacy and Innovation Blueprint"), a White House report aimed at enhancing consumer privacy protections in the information age. [see related news item]
Forming the core of the Privacy and Innovation Blueprint are two central elements: (1) a "Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights" governing the handling of personal data in commercial sectors that are not subject to existing federal privacy statutes; and (2) a multi-stakeholder process, which NTIA will convene, to develop legally enforceable codes of conduct that specify how the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights applies in specific business contexts. Discussions will be open to participation by all interested parties to ensure that codes of conduct reflect input from the broad array of stakeholders that have interest in putting the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights into practice.
To identify potential consumer data privacy topics that would benefit from a multi-stakeholder process, as well as risks and concerns, NTIA seeks comment from stakeholders on what issues should be addressed, including:
issues associated with mobile apps,
cloud computing services,
accountability mechanisms,
online services directed toward teenagers and children,
trusted identity systems, and
the use of multiple technologies such as browser cookies, local shared objects, and browser cache to collect personal data.
Written comments are due on or before 5 p.m. Eastern on March 26, 2012, to privacyrfc2012@ntia.doc.gov.
Read the full March 5 Federal Register notice for further details.
