Consumer Privacy Bill 'Going Nowhere Fast'

US industry body the MRA says it 'broadly shares' the goals behind President Obama's new Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, but that in its current form the proposed legislation is 'too vague to endorse' and the Bill is 'likely going nowhere fast.'

The White House released the long-awaited draft late on Friday. The Bill aims to give consumers more control over how their online data is managed and stored, requiring companies to explain their security and privacy policies in plain language; looks for increased transparency after cyber attacks; and also includes measures intended to stop big data analysis from resulting in discrimination. As usual, while privacy groups say the points do not go far enough, industry has expressed worries they will stifle innovation.

Howard Fienberg, Director of Government Affairs for the MRA (Marketing Research Association) says the idea is good: 'MRA has long sought a baseline privacy law and broadly shares the Obama Administration's goals of transparency, consumer control over their data, and reasonable data security'. He adds: 'This bill's focus on context in the collection, sharing and use of personal data is an interesting development - so complicated as to be difficult to enshrine in legalese, but worth exploring'.

However, Feinberg says the draft as it stands is largely 'too vague to endorse', while the bill is 'at least three years too late'. On the latter, he explains: 'The apex of interest on Capitol Hill in a comprehensive data privacy solution occurred back in 2011-12, when multiple bills were circulating and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and White House released privacy reports. Interest in Congress has long-since cooled off, and although the White House has been promising this draft bill for many years, it was released with zero fanfare late on a Friday afternoon. This draft is likely going nowhere fast.' Feinberg says fortunately the FTC already has extensive authority in this area and the MRA will 'continue to support them in their mission and work towards our common goals.'

Members of the MRA - online at www.marketingresearch.org - will receive detailed analysis of the draft legislation soon.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.