Big Tech, Obama And The Politics Of Privacy

[Commentary] For now, the lack of details in the grand privacy announcements means it is unclear when (or if) consumers will be able to turn of behavioral tracking entirely. But in the short term, the “Privacy Bill of Rights” is a political winner for both President Obama and for the tech companies with which he is ideologically and financially allied.

More specifically, it allows the President to appear out front on the privacy debate at a time when Republicans also want to make political hay out of the issue. For the Internet companies, the announcement will permit them at least a partial reprieve as they lobby to minimize regulatory oversight. Their ability to do so is shrinking, though, as other political actors continue to step into the privacy arena.