Category «Legislation»

Commerce Committee Leaders Introduce ID Theft Protection Act

Press release: “A bipartisan coalition of Senate Commerce Committee leaders today introduced comprehensive legislation (The Identity Theft Protection Act, S.1408) that protects consumers from identity theft. The bill sets national standards for notifying consumers of data breaches, requires businesses to improve their safeguards for sensitive consumer information, gives consumers the right to freeze their credit …

Subjects: Congress, ID Theft, Legislation, Privacy

Wiretapping In-Flight Passenger Internet and Wireless Communications

Wired reports today that the DOJ, FBI and DHS filed comments (23 pages, PDF) with the FCC seeking authority to require carriers to supply access to passenger in-flight communications “processed to and from broadband enabled communications devices onboard aircraft operating with United States airspace…,” that they further require to be recorded by the carriers, once …

Subjects: Government Documents, Internet, Legislation, Privacy, Wireless Web

NY Times Editorial Today on Patriot Act

“Unnecessary Powers: The Patriot Act already gives government too much power to spy on ordinary Americans, but things could get far worse. Congress is considering adding a broad new investigative power, known as the administrative subpoena, that would allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to gain access to anyone’s financial, medical, employment and even library …

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

Wireless 411 Privacy Act

S. 1350: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to protect the privacy rights of subscribers to wireless communications services. “The legislation would require wireless carriers to have a clear pre-authorization before listing a subscriber’s name and number in a directory. The bill also prevents call forwarding services from connecting callers without giving …

Subjects: Congress, Legislation, Privacy, Wireless Web

New Australian E-Gov’t Portal Launched

New australia.gov.au provides single entry point to the Australian Government: “Special Minister of State, Senator Eric Abetz…launched the Government’s new australia.gov.au website and said that it provided a single point of entry for people wanting to access government information and services. The new australia.gov.au site supports the Government’s commitment to improving access to quality government …

Subjects: E-Government, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

Specter, Leahy Introduce Personal Data Privacy And Security Act Of 2005

Press release: “…the Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2005, legislation…would help consumers better protect the privacy of their personal information in the face of recurrent data security breaches across the country…” Note that the press release includes: key features and a summary of the Specter-Leahy legislation, Senator Leahy’s statements on the introduction of …

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

New Bill Seeks to Strengthen Role of DHS Privacy Officer

CDT reports that today Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced HR. 3041, the “Privacy Officer With Enhanced Rights Act of 2005” (the POWER Act). “The bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify investigative authorities and provide independence to the Privacy Officer of the DHS. It would help the Privacy Officer take steps …

Subjects: Congress, E-Government, Legislation, Privacy

NJ Enacts ID Theft Legislation Including Security Freeze

Press release from NJPIRG: “Today the New Jersey Legislature passed the potent, comprehensive “Identity Theft Prevention Act” (6 pages, PDF) with overwhelming, bipartisan majorities in each house. The law limits the use and display of social security numbers, requires business to thoroughly destroy discarded documents, requires businesses to notify consumers if an unauthorized person accesses …

Subjects: ID Theft, Legislation, Privacy