Recommended Reading: Examining Safeguards for Consumer Data Privacy

For those interested in the growing momentum around broader US data privacy protections, I wanted to flag a recent Senate hearing on “Examining Safeguards for Consumer Data Privacy.” On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation met to examine consumer protection and privacy policies of top technology and communications firms.

Representatives from those firms were present, but no consumer interest groups or data brokers were in attendance to represent people and industries outside of the largest consumer known technology companies.

Interestingly, all participants favored:

• A national law;
• All Americans having the same privacy protections as Californians will enjoy under the current form of the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018;
• More funding for the FTC to regulate privacy;
• Making opting-out of consent as easy as opting-in;

This list would begin a process for individuals to manage their online privacy and personal information. However, it’s important to note that consumers can only object and consent to their rights if they know who is gathering their information (for more on this, I recommend this recent Slate article).

As state and national legislative bodies examine data privacy options, we’ll continue to provide updates on how this might impact corporate privacy programs. Watch this space.

-Brendan

Brendan Gilbert

Brendan Gilbert is a Director within the Technology segment of FTI Consulting and is based in Chicago. As a member of the Information Governance, Privacy and Security (IGP&S) practice, he advises corporations and law firms on data security as well as U.S. and European data privacy laws and regulations.

The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of FTI Consulting, its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals.