Online Privacy Bill: Opt-Outs Are In, Do Not Track Is Out

Several privacy bills have been or will be introduced in Congress this year, but observers are already saying the one proposed by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) has the best chance of passing. It’s a bipartisan bill with support from several large corporations, including Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), Intel (NSDQ: INTC), and eBay (NSDQ: EBAY). It’s also not an online privacy bill—the bill’s provisions apply equally to companies on and off the internet.

Some parties have already come out in favor of or opposed to the bill. It isn’t surprising who—the Direct Marketing Association has said the bill may impose additional costs on business “without a showing that there is a market failure or a need to regulate.” Meanwhile, several consumer groups, including Consumer Watchdog and the Center for Digital Democracy, said the bill didn’t go far enough to curb bad corporate behavior.

Here’s what’s in the bill:

An opt-out for all information, and an opt-in for some sensitive information. Right now, offering opt-outs from things like online tracking is certainly considered a best practice by reputable companies, but it isn’t the law of the land. This bill would make it so. And companies would have to give “robust and clear” notice that the opt-out was available. For some sensitive information, consumers would have to affirmatively give their consent by opting in.

Continues at: Kerry-McCain Privacy Bill: Opt-Outs Are In, Do Not Track Is Out | paidContent.