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Originally published June 21 2006

Tech giants push for federal privacy laws to standardize legal expectations

by NaturalNews

(NaturalNews) Several major high-tech companies lobbied Congress on Tuesday to pass a federal consumer privacy law concerning personal data on the internet.

Representatives from the companies that make up the Consumer Privacy Legislative Forum -- including Intel Corp., eBay Inc., Symantec Corp., Google Inc., Microsoft Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Oracle Corp., Eastman Kodak Co. and others -- said they are concerned that fear over identity theft and the mishandling of consumer information will begin to affect their ability to conduct internet business. Because of that, the CPLF wants lawmakers to create a flexible legal framework that would protect online consumers from personal data theft without preventing companies from using that data to provide products and services.

A nationwide survey conducted by the Cyber Security Industry Alliance in May was quoted by the CPLF, and seems to confirm their fears -- 94 percent of those polled listed identity theft as a serious problem, and only 24 percent felt the industry was putting enough effort into protecting private data. Such opinions come after a slew of high-profile cases of mishandled personal information, including thefts from the LexisNexis, Bank of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

A statement issued by the CPLF read, "In principle, such legislation would address businesses collecting personal information from consumers in a transparent manner with appropriate notice; providing consumers with meaningful choice regarding the use and disclosure of that information; allowing consumers reasonable access to personal information they have provided; and protecting such information from misuse or unauthorized access."

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