Category «Congress»

New Bill Targets Growing Threats: Phishing and Pharming

Press release today from Sen. Patrick Leahy, co-founder and co-chairman of the Senate Internet Caucus, on the introduction of the Anti-Phishing Act of 2005 (S. 472). The release “includes the Senate Floor speech of Sen. Patrick Leahy introducing his bill to explicitly target Internet “phishing,” and “pharming” with new federal criminal penalties, and a fact …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, ID Theft, Legislation, Privacy

ID Theft Scam Continues to Generate Controversy

AP reports that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, prompted by colleagues’ requests, has agreed to hold hearings on ID theft and possible regulation of the sale of personal data collected on American citizens. Also from AP, Tips for protecting your identity From ComputerWorld.com: “ChoicePoint’s error sparks talk of ID theft law – The company …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, ID Theft, Privacy

Call for Hearings on Info Broker Data Scam

Press release: Leahy Calls For Hearings On Information Brokers That Are Emerging As Private Intelligence Agencies Tuesday, February 22, 2005: “The ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a longtime champion of the public’s privacy rights, says ChoicePoint’s sale of personal and financial records of thousands of Americans to con artists is a tripwire that …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, ID Theft, Privacy

Bill Calls for Notification When Database ID Theft Occurs

From the press release: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)…called for a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on legislation that she sponsored which would require businesses or government agencies to notify individuals if a database has been broken into and personal data has been compromised, including Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses and credit cards. This follows two …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, Legislation, Privacy

Bill Introduced to Restore Scientific Integrity to Federal Research and Policymaking

“Restore Scientific Integrity to Federal Research and Policymaking: Reps. Waxman and Gordon introduce H.R. 839, legislation to protect federal science from political interference. The bill includes bars on manipulating science, suppressing research, and using political litmus tests to appoint members of scientific advisory committees.” The following documents are all in PDF format: Bill Summary Press …

Subjects: Congress, Freedom of Information, Legal Research, Legislation

Open Government Act of 2005 Introduced Today With Bipartisan Support

The Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act of 2005 (OPEN Government Act, S. 394) was introduced today by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont). For related documents on this bill which has bipartisan support on the Hill, as well as from associations, press, and think tanks, see the following: From Senator …

Subjects: Blogs, Congress, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Internet, Legal Research, Legislation

Reasonable Notice and Search Act

S. 316: A bill to limit authority to delay notice of search warrants (By Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI]) Introduced Feb 8, 2005. Related references: “The Reasonable Notice and Search Act revises the Patriot Act authority to delay notice of the execution of search warrants – so-called “sneak and peak” provisions – and requires the Attorney …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Patriot Act, Privacy

Library, Bookseller, and Personal Records Privacy Act

S. 317: A bill to protect privacy by limiting the access of the Government to library, bookseller, and other personal records for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. Introduced (By Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI]), Feb 8, 2005. Related reference: Feingold Introduces Bills To Protect Civil Liberties – “The Library, Bookseller and Personal Records Privacy Act will …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Libraries, Privacy

Free Flow of Information Act of 2005

H.R. 581: To maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media. Introduced by Rep. Mike Pence, Feb 2, 2005. Note: Rep. Pense has a blog. Related reference: Fees for FOI Request to DOJ Could Top $400,000 …

Subjects: Blogs, Congress, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legislation