Editorial: Hopeful signs are still there

Friday, May 26, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., was joined by other Democrats, including Nevada's Richard Bryan, in introducing legislation this week that would help bring about greater privacy for those who use the Internet. The bill would require Internet service providers and commercial websites that collect personal data -- names, addresses, or credit card account information -- to post a clear notice of how that data might be used and what the disclosure practices are for that information. In addition, the legislation would give consumers some rights, since it would require that a consumer must first give his consent before any of this information is shared.

Even the Federal Trade Commission has grown impatient. Previously the FTC has argued that Internet companies should set their own privacy policies. But earlier this week the FTC asked Congress for the authority to regulate how these companies collect and distribute this sensitive information. The FTC found that of the 100 most popular U.S. websites, just 42 had opted to voluntarily implement privacy safeguards. In response, some lobbyists for the Internet companies argued for more time, contending that regulation could harm the development of the relatively young industry.

Even though some in the industry are acting responsibly, the fact that so many companies aren't doing their part calls out for the need for some basic protections. When people go to an Internet website, they should feel assured that the sensitive data being collected by the company isn't going to be sold or shared with others -- unless the company first gets the consumer's permission. Anything less is wrong and an invasion of privacy.

While polls have shown consistently that the public is concerned about privacy rights, the GOP-controlled Congress doesn't want anything to do with privacy legislation. Still it is encouraging that, while not large in number, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are willing to continue to advocate privacy legislation. Safeguards may not happen this year, but only by continuing pressure, and keeping this issue alive before the public, will meaningful change ever occur.