Yesterday the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advocated in favor of consumer privacy by advancing a plan that would let people decide "whether they want their internet browsing and buying habits monitored." [1]
The Commission said, "Online companies have failed to protect the privacy of online users"recommending a "do not track' mechanism similar to the national "do not call' registry." [2]
The "kicker" here is the FTC is only making a "recommendation" on "do not track". They believe they do not have the "authority to mandate such a ruling". [3] Thus the issue falls in the lap of Congress. Today the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection is holding a hearing to determine the feasibility of implementing a system of "do not track". [4]
From here the chances of Congress acting in favor of the consumer over the forces of internet advertising and its army of lobbyists is less than favorable. To paraphrase what an online advertising executive said upon hearing of the Commission's recommendations opined, "A government controlled do-not-track mechanism would cause "significant economic harm" [5] to the industry. Hmm.
So what chance do the consumer and his privacy have against the big moneyed corporate crowd that has Congress in its pocket? Quite simply, not much.
Let's face it the reality is it's highly unlikely anything concrete on the issue of consumer internet privacy will be on the agenda in this lame duck session of Congress even with Democrats in charge. It seems unimaginable a Republican controlled House will even consider the issue much less put it on its agenda. Even the Democrat majority that remains in the Senate will not have enough consumer advocates for the Senate to put it on its agenda.
So what are chances the measures the FTC is recommending regarding the internet privacy of online users and the Congress following up and enacting legislation in line with the Commission are as follows:
(Place an (X) in the box of your choice)
( ) 1. Favorable and likely
( ) 2. Unfavorable and unlikely
( ) 3. Not a chance
