Officials from both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and European Union (EU) recently called for enhancements to the Obama administration’s proposed Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.
The White House’s proposed Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights seeks to provide “a baseline of clear protections for consumers and greater certainty for companies.” The guiding principles of the draft bill are: individual control, transparency, respect for context, security, access and accuracy, focused collection and accountability.
But the proposed legislation also seeks to afford companies discretion and flexibility to promote innovation, which some officials argue has led to a lack of clarity.
FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez had hoped for a “stronger” proposal and had “concerns about the lack of clarity in the requirements that are set forth.” However, Chairwoman Ramirez acknowledged the significance of a privacy bill backed by the White House. FTC Commissioner Julie Brill also expressed concern over weaknesses in the draft, calling for more boundaries.
Likewise, European Data Protection Supervisor Giovanni Buttarelli felt that the proposal lacked clarity and that, as written, “a large majority of personal data would not be subject to any provisions or safeguards.”
To review the administration’s proposed bill, click here.