TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

SUPPORT THE ENFORCEMENT ONLINE PRIVACY MEASURES FOR COMPANIES AND THE FTC CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

WHEREAS, advances in computer technology have made it possible for detailed information about people to be compiled and shared more easily and cheaply than ever and;

WHEREAS, as personal information becomes more accessible, each of us - companies, associations, government agencies, and consumers - must take precautions to protect against the misuse of that information and;

WHEREAS, since 1998, the Federal Trade Commission has issued two reports that examine the information practices of commercial sites on the Internet and industry’s efforts to implement self-regulatory programs to protect consumers’ online privacy. The reports also set forth an agenda for the Commission in the coming year to encourage industry’s full implementation of online privacy protections and;

WHEREAS, these concerns of online privacy are particularly heightened with respect to information obtained from children. In 1998, Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) which became effective April 21, 2000 and;

WHEREAS, while self-regulatory efforts by companies to addresses privacy issues posed by emerging technologies is applauded, certain medical, financial, consumer and other information is so sensitive that legal protections are needed,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , the United States Conference of Mayors supports implementation of legislation that would:

• set forth strong enforcement measures for the FTC and companies involved in e-commerce concerning the online collection of personal information and enforcement of industry self-regulatory "safe harbors" guidelines;

• provides Americans with comprehensive consumer privacy protections and FTC efforts in developing comprehensive regulations that will protect American’s children who use new technology and the Internet and;
  
• implement programs that would educate those companies that are unclear about the importance of consumer privacy and create incentives for further progress toward effective, widespread implementation.