US unveils first step toward new online privacy rules

The US administration called Tuesday for public comments on a "new approach to consumer data privacy" that could trigger fresh regulations of internet companies.

The Commerce Department said the announcement is part of an effort to "modernize US data privacy policy for the 21st century."

The move follows the implementation this year of ramped up data protection rules imposed by the European Union, and a new privacy law enacted in California.

Both measures will impact internet firms whose websites can be accessed around the globe.

Privacy and data protection have come into greater focus in response to these new laws, and also because of growing concerns on how private data is handled following revelations on the hijacking of millions of Facebook user profiles by a political consultancy ahead of the 2016 election.

"The United States has a long history of protecting individual privacy, but our challenges are growing as technology becomes more complex, interconnected and integrated into our daily lives," said David Redl, who heads the agency's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

"The Trump administration is beginning this conversation to solicit ideas on a path for adapting privacy to today's data-driven world."

The agency said it was also developing a voluntary privacy framework to help organizations manage risk and working on ways "to increase global regulatory harmony."

The Commerce Department statement said the agency is focused on "desired outcomes" for privacy rather that dictating specific practices.

But it plans to seek public comment on transparency practices -- how data is collected and used -- as well as security safeguards.

Users of online platforms "should be able to reasonably access and correct personal data they have provided," the statement added. "Organizations should take steps to manage the risk of disclosure or harmful uses of personal data."

Related Links
Cyberwar - Internet Security News - Systems and Policy Issues

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

NSA leak fuels rise in hacking for crypto mining: report
Washington (AFP) Sept 19, 2018
Illicit cryptocurrency mining has been surging over the past year, in part due to a leaked software tool from the US National Security Agency, researchers said Wednesday. A report by the Cyber Threat Alliance, an association of cybersecurity firms and experts, said it detected a 459 percent increase in the past year of illicit crypto mining - a technique used by hackers to steal the processing power of computers to create cryptocurrency. "Activity has gone from a virtually non-exist issue to on ... read more