Editorial: Protect consumers’ privacy

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006 | 7:08 a.m.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, is sponsoring a bill that would set a national standard for how companies react when their computer systems containing consumers' personal information are breached.

With thefts of personal information becoming common, perhaps it is time for a national standard. But the standard should be as strong or stronger than the strongest state law.

According to a story in the Salt Lake Tribune, however, Bennett's bill is much weaker than laws passed by many states. For example, his bill would leave it up to companies to decide whether the breach is "reasonably likely to result in substantial harm or inconvenience." His bill also prevents consumers from suing a company over a breach and prevents state attorneys general from filing charges against a company that failed to comply with the law, the Tribune reported Monday.

The paper also reported that 48 state attorneys general are on record with Congress as supporting a national law, but "without pre-empting existing state laws."

With the potential for harm to individuals being so great, there would be no excuse, other than blatant corporate favoritism, for a federal law watering down any existing protections.

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