Facebook, Google, LinkedIn want FTC privacy safeguards

Facebook, Google and LinkedIn say they want the Federal Trade Commission to take a more active role in policing companies and advertisers that abuse consumers' personal information.

But they are concerned that heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all legislation of the online advertising industry could cut off business opportunities and limit consumer interaction on the Internet. The three firms spoke at privacy workshop held by the FTC in Berkeley today, the second such workshop the agency has held on the topic. It comes as Internet firms are becoming increasingly worried about legislation being drafted by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL).