US administration calls for online privacy rights

The Obama administration called Wednesday for the passage of a consumer privacy bill of rights that would allow individuals to prevent companies from tracking their online surfing or selling their data to the highest bidder.

A bill of rights is 'something that consumers want, companies need, and the economy will appreciate,' Lawrence Strickling, assistant commerce secretary for communications and information, told the Senate Commerce Committee. He called on Congress to enact legislation to reassure consumers, 'who are unsure about how data about their activities and transactions are collected, used, and stored.'

Strickling said the Obama administration proposed working with the internet industry and privacy groups 'to develop appropriate codes.' 'We think we can get to a regime that will greatly improve privacy for consumers and still meet the needs of businesses who want to continue to see the growth of the internet,' he said.