The controversy over Carrier IQ's diagnostic tracking software on millions of cellphones caught the attention of privacy hawks in Congress late last year. Now, one of them, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), is floating draft legislation that would require companies to disclose to consumers when they're being tracked. The Mobile Device Privacy Act would require companies to let consumers know what types of information are being collected, which companies get the information and how the data are being used. It would also require companies to get consent from consumers before information is collected, shared or transmitted....
More Suggested Content:
Google Announces Privacy Changes Across Products; Users Can’t Opt Out
January 25, 2012
From The Washington Post
The Web giant announced Tuesday that it plans to follow the activities of users across nearly all of its ubiquitous sites, including YouTube, Gmail and its leading search engine. Google has already been collecting some of this information. But for the first time, it is combining data across its Web sites to stitch together a fuller portrait of users. Consumers won’t be able to opt out of the changes, which take effect March 1.
New OTA Guide: How Marketers Can Ensure 2012 Isn't Another 'Year of the [Data] Breach'
January 26, 2012
From Online Trust Alliance
In the wake of 2011, which many analysts are calling the “Year of the Breach,” the Online Trust Alliance (OTA) today announced the release of the 2012 Data Protection & Breach Readiness Guide, a comprehensive guide outlining key questions and recommendations to help businesses in breach prevention and incident management. OTA is unveiling the report today at the 2012 Privacy and Data Protection Town Hall, held in honor of Data Privacy Day. This is the third year the OTA has produced the guide, which provides an analysis of the past year’s security breaches and offers companies a wide range …