A Long Way to Privacy Safeguards

[Commentary] A new White House report on “big data” and privacy includes several recommendations that could help protect the personal information of individuals from warrantless searches and abusive marketing practices. But it still does not do enough to advance the goal President Barack Obama set two years ago for “clear rules of the road” on privacy. Most Americans think current laws are insufficient to protect their privacy, according to a Pew Research survey. President Obama has previously said he feels the same way. The Podesta report offers some good recommendations that deserve enactment, even as the administration refines other proposals that still need work.