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05.10

Public Input Sought on Privacy Policy and Innovation in the Internet Economy

By IEEE-USA Staff

On 21 April, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced a federal initiative designed to gather public input and review the nexus between privacy policy and innovation in the Internet economy.  The effort will be lead by the newly formed Department of Commerce-wide Internet Policy Task Force, which has been charged to identify leading public policy and operational issues impacting the U.S. private sector's ability to realize the potential for economic growth and job creation through the Internet.

“Because of the vital role the Internet plays in driving innovation throughout the economy, the Department has made it a top priority to ensure that the Internet remains open for innovation while promoting an environment respectful of individual privacy expectations,” Locke said. “In these difficult economic times, nothing is more important to American prosperity than jumpstarting our engine of innovation.”

Through a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) published in the Federal Register, the Commerce Department is seeking public comment from all Internet stakeholders—commercial, academic and civil society sectors and citizens—on the impact of current privacy laws in the United States and around the world on the pace of innovation in the information economy. The Department seeks to understand whether current privacy laws serve consumer interests and fundamental democratic values.

The Internet Policy Task Force will also explore current privacy frameworks, and ways to address the challenges of the new Internet economy and society in a manner that preserves and enhances personal privacy protection.

In addition to privacy and innovation, the Internet Policy Task Force will examine cyber security, online copyright protection and international barriers to moving data around the globe, and the ability of entrepreneurs, and small- and medium-sized businesses to expand their operations via the Internet.

The deadline for public comment is in early June.  The Commerce Department will also hold a public meeting on May 7 to discuss stake-holder views and to further facilitate public discussion on privacy policy in the United States. The public input will be analyzed and key conclusions and recommendations captured in a report with release anticipated later in the year.

For more information on the request for public input or the May 7 stake-holders meeting, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/.

Comments may be submitted to todaysengineer@ieee.org.