House to hold Do Not Track hearing on Internet privacy

The Real World News - Independent Breaking News Headlines Press Media |The House subcommittee for commerce, trade, and consumer protection is planning a hearing in early December on Internet privacy, with Web firms expected to testify on the idea of a Do Not Track registry, according to Capitol Hill staffers. The hearing, which is tentatively set for Dec. 2, is still being coordinated and a full witness list hasn't been formed yet. It will likely focus on several aspects of a bill presented by subcommittee chairman Bobby Rush (D-Ill.). Rush has introduced a bill on Internet privacy that he has said would balance business interests with consumer protection.

The bill will be introduced again in the lame duck session and will spell out what information cannot be collected by Web sites and third-party advertisers without approval by users. Key Republicans and Democrats have said they would pursue Internet privacy legislation in the new Congress.

The idea of a Do Not Track registry, which would be modeled in some ways after the popular Do Not Call registry administered by the Federal Trade Commission, has generated support from consumer interest groups. Companies such as Google have panned the idea, saying implementing the technology for such a platform would be too difficult.

Watch Reed Smith attorneys Judy Harris and Amy Mushahwar break down Rush's bill and another bill in the House aimed at Internet privacy.

Washington Post