FTC Backs Tech Privacy Law To Protect User Data

Members of the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday called on Congress to create a national privacy law that would regulate how big tech companies like Facebook and Google collect and handle user data. From a report: In testimony before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection, commissioners also asked Congress to strengthen the agency's ability to police violations, and for more resources and greater authority to impose penalties. Lawmakers are considering a national privacy law to regulate the collection and handling of user data, the most valuable currency of the internet economy. That debate is taking place while the F.T.C. is in settlement talks with Facebook after a 13-month investigation into privacy violations. The agency is expected to levy a $5 billion penalty on Facebook for violating a 2011 privacy settlement with the regulator.

Nothing is better

[Anonymous Coward]

With the amount of money flowing through D.C., inaction by our congress is better than action. Nothing that they do benefits the common man anymore, it only benefits the corporations that donated heavily to their reelection campaigns.

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[cayenne8]

With the amount of money flowing through D.C., inaction by our congress is better than action. Nothing that they do benefits the common man anymore, it only benefits the corporations that donated heavily to their reelection campaigns.

I agree, the outcome of this for the common US citizen is likely bleak at best.

If they could do it, should be simple.....just two words.

OPT IN.

They might add some text around that too about not being able to use blanket, hard to understand TOS where you sign this away just

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[Highdude702]

I say we kill all politicians and elect new, I'm sure the newly elected representatives will get the point and act right.

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[CanadianMacFan]

That would be great if you could trust the companies. But I trust Facebook, Google, and the other companies about as far as I can throw their headquarters. Remember when Facebook bought WhatsApp and said that they wouldn't link/share user data between the companies? And one of the first things they did was share the data. And how do you opt in to sharing data with Facebook when they collect information about you even if you don't have an account? The same goes for Google and any other company that does it.

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[sasparillascott]

Have to agree with you on this. I would suggest you add a caveat though, "except for social issues that the parties use to capture voters (abortion etc.).".

The experiment in paid lobbying that started in the early 1970's has completely corrupted the Federal legislative bodies for legislation that is of any interest to corporate interests. Facebook, Google etc. want their lobbyists to help Congress write what "privacy" is into law at the Federal Level. JMHO...

"called on Congress"

[QuietLagoon]

You mean the Congress that is all but owned by its corporate donors?

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[Highdude702]

suckerburg has speech about privacy a week ago, FTC backs said bullshit... you say "Isn't it a common complaint on /. that the FTC itself i all-but-owned by corporations? And yet here's the FTC backing this thing up."

How can I get on your level? What are you mixing? I haven't figured it out yet... Are you going to the harder drugs? Been a while, but fuck... I may try it...

Wonderful.

[imperious_rex]

Just what we need, GDPR American style! Can't wait to see how this turns out. <sigh>

Crazy

[jwymanm]

Regulations are going to kill opensource data and apis. Now companies and even people are going to have to remove/constrict any public sources for apis. Only reason government cares is I believe a much larger pretext to controlling free speech/data leaks. I know it sounds paranoid but it's already happening. Web is dying. Internet is segmenting. It's all downhill from here. I don't see a single damn good benefit from this legislation. Careful what you wish for - it might be granted.

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[the_skywise]

It's why both Facebook and Google want this legislation (they've lobbied for it - shades of paying for laws again). It will entrench their services as the laws will undoubtedly up the costs of compliance killing off any independent start ups.

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[jwymanm]

Try to get off a fitbit like business or keep it running when you need 5000 lawyers on retainer and an entire security department combing through every single access to data you allow for. I imagine a future where new devices will be built that will ban USA citizens from using or buying them just to avoid prosecution. Already happening in crypto.

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[the_skywise]

Facebook just set aside 5 BILLION (with a 'B') to pay for what they anticipate the fines will be from the US government for, ahem, stealing and selling client data illegally.

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[Highdude702]

^^ ^^ ^^ Well, you know.

I think it goes like this

[bobstreo]

"Hey you, yeah, big data thieving corporations?"

"You know, next year is another presidential election, and it would be a shame if anything happened to your business model. You know what to do..."

Nobody needs this data...

[Arzaboa]

Engineers added logs for troubleshooting. Companies monetized the logs. Now you can sell your syslog.

People did business with each other just fine without targeted advertising.

This is surveillance pure and simple. It is completely unnecessary.

--
The beginning is always today. - Mary Shelley

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[jwymanm]

Nope, still pro smaller gov and self regulation here. The bigger picture here is being missed because people are once again scared so they are handing over their freedom to the government in exchange for protection. This will just end up with further restrictions on the net and it will stifle innovation. I don't want every website on the planet having an EULA popup every time I want to use it. It's insanity. At some point you need to ask yourself how much do you really want the government in your lives. In

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion