Press Release: CDT Welcomes FTC Action to Crack Down on Harmful Online Data & Security Practices
(WASHINGTON) The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is pleased to see the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launch a proceeding to explore rules to address harmful online commercial data and security practices. The Commission’s broad inquiry seeks to examine important questions about the widespread collection and sale of consumer data, the use of data in automated decision making, lax data security practices, and the risks of data-driven discrimination.
Alexandra Reeve Givens, President and CEO of CDT, says:
“People want and deserve meaningful rules to protect their privacy. The FTC’s announcement is an important first step to examine the harms that can result from lax and abusive online data practices.
We applaud the FTC for launching this process and engaging on privacy rules more generally. We look forward to engaging in this process and helping develop a strong public record of the need for meaningful privacy protections.”
The agency’s request for public comment is the beginning of a lengthy process, and will provide an opportunity for the Commission to gather information about the harms that can result from current online data practices. The announcement comes as the U.S. House of Representatives continues consideration of the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, bipartisan legislation that was recently approved by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce by a vote of 53-2. Together, these efforts represent the most significant push in decades to establish meaningful protections for consumers’ online data.
###
CDT is a 27-year-old 501(c)3 nonpartisan nonprofit organization that fights to put democracy and human rights at the center of the digital revolution. It works to promote democratic values by shaping technology policy and architecture, with a focus on equity and justice.
