House Introduces New 'Do Not Track' Privacy Bill

In much the same way the 2003 “Do Not Call” Registry helped consumers avoid a large number of telemarketing calls, the proposed “Do Not Track” bill would allow consumers to opt out of programs that allow advertisers to keep tabs on their browsing habits, according to a report from The Los Angeles Times. The law, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier of California, would let Internet users opt out of programs that allow companies to tailor their ads to specific consumers’ specific browsing histories.

Speier also rolled out a bill that would give consumers more control over how financial institutions accessed their personal financial information, the report said.

“These two bills send a clear message – privacy over profit,” Speier said in a statement. “Consumers have a right to determine what if any of their information is shared with big corporations, and the federal government must have the authority and tools to enforce reasonable protections.”

The federal government has become more focused on protecting consumers’ private personal data in recent months, as a number of bills pertaining to data breach notification requirements and other initiatives have been introduced since the latter half of 2010.

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