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The Trump Administration is Talking To Facebook and Google About Potential Rules For Online Privacy (washingtonpost.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

The Trump administration is crafting a proposal to protect Web users' privacy, aiming to blunt global criticism that the absence of strict federal rules in the United States has enabled data mishaps at Facebook and others in Silicon Valley. From a report: Over the past month, the Commerce Department has been huddling with representatives of tech giants such as Facebook and Google, Internet providers including AT&T and Comcast, and consumer advocates [Editor's note: the link may be paywalled; alternative source], according to four people familiar with the matter but not authorized to speak on the record. The government's goal is to release an initial set of ideas this fall that outlines Web users' rights, including general principles for how companies should collect and handle consumers' private information, the people said. The forthcoming blueprint could then become the basis for Congress to write the country's first wide-ranging online-privacy law, an idea the White House recently has said it could endorse. "Through the White House National Economic Council, the Trump Administration aims to craft a consumer privacy protection policy that is the appropriate balance between privacy and prosperity," Lindsay Walters, the president's deputy press secretary, said in a statement. "We look forward to working with Congress on a legislative solution consistent with our overarching policy."

5 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Much as I hate to admit it ... by lgw · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As much as I deeply enjoy mocking Europe, they have much better consumer privacy protection than the US. It would be great to catch up a little. Plus: Trump making the US more like the EU? The heads exploding would be like the end of Kingsmen.

    --
    Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    1. Re:Much as I hate to admit it ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Well, you have a bunch of very smart people at Google and Facebook who want as few privacy protections as possible working with an administration this is... ummm... less smart. I wonder how that is going to turn out?

  2. Collaboration by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    In other news, Mr. McGregor is consulting with Peter Rabbit on how to protect his carrot garden.

  3. Corporations are "people" too by Gonoff · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Don't forget that when people get privacy in the USA, megacorps get it too. You will be less able than ever to keep them in check.

    --
    I'll see your Constitution and raise you a Queen.
  4. Alternative headline by alexo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The Trump Administration is Talking To Foxes and Wolves About Potential Rules For Hen-house Safety.

    No conflicts of interest here. No sir! None whatsoever.