FAQ: What’s in the ‘Privacy Bill of Rights’?
The Obama administration on Thursday announced what it calls its “Privacy Bill of Rights,” a long-awaited framework suggesting how companies should protect consumer information online.
What are the rights? The document outlines seven main “rights.” It is not yet clear whether these rights would apply to Web browsers on mobile devices.
●Individual control: People should be able to control personal data. Companies should write clear, easy-to-understand privacy policies and give consumers a way to opt out of data collection.
●Transparency: Companies should be clear about what information they collect, why they need it, how they use it, whom they share it with and when they will delete it.
●Respect for context: If companies collect personal information for one purpose, the firm can’t then decide it wants to use that data for another. Special care should be given to children and teens.
●Security: Consumers have a right to expect their data will be stored and transmitted securely.
●Access and accuracy: Consumers should be able to access personal data and correct any errors.
●Focused collection: Companies shouldn’t collect more data than they need, and consumers should have the right to say what those limits are, within reason.
●Accountability: Companies should hold their employees responsible for adhering to these rights, conduct audits on their activities and implement training for their staffs.