A New Internet Privacy Law?

[Commentary] Considering how much information we entrust to the Internet every day, it is hard to believe there is no general law to protect people’s privacy online.

Companies harvest data about people as they surf the Net, assemble it into detailed profiles and sell it to advertisers or others without ever asking permission. So it is good to see a groundswell of support emerging for minimum standards of privacy, online and off. This week, the Obama administration called for legislation to protect consumers’ privacy. In the Senate, John Kerry is trying to draft a privacy bill of rights with the across-the-aisle support of John McCain. It is crucial that lawmakers get this right. There is strong pressure from the advertising industry to water down rules aimed at limiting the data companies can collect and what they can do with it. Privacy protections are long overdue. We hope the swell of support will lead to significant legislation.