Walt Disney Internet Group Voices Support of Consumer Internet Privacy Enhancement Act

Walt Disney Internet Group Voices Support of Consumer Internet Privacy Enhancement Act

Legislation sponsored by Senators John McCain, John Kerry, Spencer Abraham and Barbara Boxer

Walt Disney Internet Group has stated its endorsement of Senators John McCain's (R-AZ), John Kerry's (D-MA), Spencer Abraham's (R-MI) and Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) online privacy legislation, the Consumer Internet Privacy Enhancement Act (S-2928).

"We are pleased that this rational legislation builds upon existing responsible efforts of companies like Walt Disney Internet Group. This approach would provide consumers with information about a Web site's use of their personally identifiable information and would enable consumers to choose to limit the use of this information," said Larry Shapiro, executive vice president and general counsel, Walt Disney Internet Group. "In addition, the bill would provide Internet companies with clear standards of practice for data and information collection. We are also encouraged that the legislation offers Internet companies consistent rules across the United States by preempting state legislation."

The legislation requires all commercial Web sites that collect personally identifiable information (PII) to provide consumers with clear and conspicuous notice about their information collection practices, as well as an opportunity to limit the use and disclosure of this information for marketing purposes. In addition, the bill proposed preempts state laws, creating one uniform standard.

Also, as part of the legislation, the Federal Trade Commission would enforce the disclosure and notice requirements, and the state Attorneys General could also enforce the disclosure requirement.

Finally, with the passing of this act, the National Academy of Sciences would conduct a study of online privacy issues, examining the differences between information collection and privacy online and offline.

-- Posted October 4, 2000

Source: Company Press Release