Internet Association Files Comments With NTIA To Inform Federal Consumer Privacy Framework And Legislation

BECKERMAN: “We commend NTIA and NTIA Administrator David Redl on their thoughtful approach to the complexities of consumer privacy, and welcome the opportunity to contribute the perspective of the internet industry to help ensure that our national privacy framework is flexible, consumer friendly, and enables future innovation.”

Washington, DC – Internet Association today responded to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Request for Comments on Developing the Administration’s Approach to Consumer Privacy. IA’s comments provide the internet industry’s perspective on the need for a comprehensive, harmonized, and interoperable privacy framework that benefits all stakeholders. IA’s full comments can be found here.

“Americans deserve a modernized U.S. privacy framework that provides people meaningful control over data they provide to companies online and offline, including the ability to access, correct, delete, and download the data,” said IA President and CEO Michael Beckerman. “We commend NTIA and NTIA Administrator David Redl on their thoughtful approach to the complexities of consumer privacy, and welcome the opportunity to contribute the perspective of the internet industry to help ensure that our national privacy framework is flexible, consumer friendly, and enables future innovation.”

It is critical that the U.S lead in the global policy discussion on consumer privacy data and security, and IA supports adopting a federal privacy law that affords the same protections to all Americans. In order to do that, any national framework must provide the same protections for people’s data across industries, regardless of whether it is gathered offline or online–except for sectors such as financial services and healthcare, where existing federal laws govern the handling of personal information.

The filing argues that rules should consider the context in which individuals share information with companies. Context means that individuals’ have varying expectations for the information they provide to companies based on their relationship with the company, the sensitivity of the data, the level of engagement a company has with the data, and the size and complexity of the company.

“If a person orders shoes from a retailer, they expect that the delivery company has their address to deliver the shoes. That person does not expect the delivery company to use that address for anything other than ensuring and confirming the safe delivery of the order,” said Beckerman.

IA recently released its proposed privacy framework, which demonstrates a commitment to consumer privacy while maintaining a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and fosters growth.

###