[Random-bits] AP; Gore and Bush on Internet Privacy

[James Love]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2000/10/06/politics0313EDT0457.DTL&type=tech_article

Candidates on the issues: Internet Privacy
The Associated Press 
                                             
Friday, October 6, 2000 
Breaking News Sections

(10-06) 00:13 PDT Three days a week,
The Associated Press picks an issue and asks the leading presidential
candidates a auestion about it. Today's question and the responses: 

      Internet Privacy 

Republican George W. Bush: ``I believe privacy is a fundamental right,
and that every American should have absolute control over his or her
personal information. Now, with the advent of the Internet, personal
privacy is increasingly at risk. I am committed to protecting personal
privacy for every American and I believe the marketplace can function
without sacrificing the privacy of individuals.

  [snip]

In Texas, I banned identity theft, safeguarded genetic information,
protected driver's license information and provided for a new Internet
Bureau Task Force to combat emerging cyber crimes. As president, I
will prohibit genetic discrimination, criminalize identity theft, and
guarantee the privacy of medical and sensitive financial records. I will
also make it a criminal offense to sell a person's Social Security
number without his or her express consent.'' 


Democrat Al Gore: ``I believe that, in this time of unprecedented
possibility, we must ensure that new technology is usedto renew and
strengthen our oldest and most cherished values. That is why I have
called for an Electronic Bill of Rights for this electronic age. It
includes the right to choose whether personal information is
disclosed; the right to know how, when, and how much of that
information is being used; the right to see it yourself; and the right
to know if it's accurate. In many areas, I believe that industry
self-regulation of Internet privacy is an effective response. 

    [snip]

I am proud of my role in pushing for effective privacy protection in the
area of online profiling. In 1998, before most people were even aware
of the problem, I called for the government to study this issue and to
create an effective response. Last year, the administration and the FTC
held a workshop that pushed the industry to come to the table and
negotiate a privacy code of conduct. That code of conduct is now in
place.'' 

-- 
James Love, Consumer Project on Technology
v. 1.202.387.8030, fax 1.202.234.5176
love@cptech.org, http://www.cptech.org