Earlier this year, Google updated its Privacy Policy and announced significant privacy changes.  Facebook has repeatedly been in the spotlight for changes to its policy concerning the privacy of its users.  Similarly, many other companies and social media sites continuously modify their Privacy Policies to account for changes in technology, the internet, and user and consumer preferences.

The White House has addressed the issue of privacy and the internet in the past and most recently has proposed a Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights for legislative consideration.  The proposed Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights calls for:

  • Individual Control: Consumers have a right to exercise control over what personal data companies collect from them and how they use it.
  • Transparency: Consumers have a right to easily understandable and accessible information about privacy and security practices.
  • Respect for Context: Consumers have a right to expect that companies will collect, use, and disclose personal data in ways that are consistent with the context in which consumers provide the data.
  • Security: Consumers have a right to secure and responsible handling of personal data.
  • Access and Accuracy: Consumers have a right to access and correct personal data in usable formats, in a manner that is appropriate to the sensitivity of the data and the risk of adverse consequences to consumers if the data is inaccurate.
  • Focused Collection: Consumers have a right to reasonable limits on the personal data that companies collect and retain.
  • Accountability: Consumers have a right to have personal data handled by companies with appropriate measures in place to assure they adhere to the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.

 

To read the full text please click here: Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights