The House privacy caucus held a panel discussion today on Capitol Hill today on what is needed to better protect children’s privacy online.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association recognizes the need for information and choice when it comes to online privacy practices. The following statement can be attributed to Computer & Communications Industry Association President & CEO Ed Black:
“CCIA applauds the Federal Trade Commission for working to update the Childrens’ Online Privacy Protection Act and looks forward to submitting comments. We believe the FTC’s experience and updates will be helpful and hope their input will be given appropriate consideration. Trying to move legislation before seeing the effectiveness of the FTC’s proposed rule would be premature.
“At the privacy caucus panel discussion today, much was made about a so called ’eraser button’ for the Internet. While its easy to understand the appeal of such an idea, carrying it out technologically is infeasible given the open nature of the Internet and the way information is quickly shared among users. For example, deleting a photo from one website is possible, but tracking where that photo has gone and removing all traces of it is nearly impossible. In addition to the complex question of “how” we also hope the consequences of “what, when and why” something might be the target of “eraser” are carefully considered.”