A discussion draft of what could become sweeping Internet data privacy legislation has pitted direct marketers and list brokers against privacy advocates, with some in the industry saying it will kill direct marketing. List managers and their clients especially fear harm if the draft, put forward by US Reps. Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL), becomes law.
The proposal, which could form the basis of a bill, enables consumers to take greater control over marketers’ use of their personal information. It would also require companies that collect customer information to disclose that they are doing so and how.
The draft specifies that companies may collect information about consumers, but gives consumers the opportunity to opt out of the process. It also applies to cases when a website relies on third-party services to process payment on a transaction. While companies would not need customer consent to collect information, they would need specific approval to collect sensitive information, including medical, financial or personal data such as Social Security numbers.
see full article at: Draft privacy bill could shake data collection – DMNews.
