InternetNet Privacy Could See Action in Next Congress

Following a probe of ISPs' behavioral targeting efforts, a leading lawmaker plans a bill that would rein in online data collection.

The debate over online privacy may be headed for a lull in the coming weeks, but you can expect it to resume in earnest next year, when legislation is likely to appear before a new Congress calling for baseline safeguards for Internet users. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, is planning to introduce legislation in the next session to create something like an online bill of rights. "The general idea here is to strengthen consumer privacy protections [and] ensure that consumers are aware of who is collecting their information and when they are collecting it," Markey's communications director, Jessica Schafer, told InternetNews.com. Congress, which is in recess now, is not likely to revisit the issue of online privacy in the three remaining weeks it will be in session before adjourning again Sept. 26 for the presidential election. RELATED ARTICLES CDT Charges ISP Ad Scheme Might Be Illegal Senators, Tech Giants Seek Answers on Privacy The Privacy Debate Beyond Google-DoubleClick Groups Spar Over Behavioral Web Ads For more stories on this topic: Nevertheless, this year has seen increasing government scrutiny into the privacy policies of online advertisers. That trend may be likely to carry over into the new Congress and administration, particularly as Internet companies develop increasingly sophisticated techniques for targeting ads. Informing... [ Read more on www.internetnews.com ]

InternetSwedish magazine blames iPhone 3G woes on hardware (AP)

AP - Spotty wireless broadband connectivity for some of Apple Inc.'s new iPhones most likely results from a hardware problem introduced during mass production, a Swedish technical magazine reported Wednesday.

InternetU.K.'s Online Ads Rake In More Than TV

Britons also accounted for the highest revenue per head in Web advertising globally, according to a new study by the country's communications regulator.