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Blog Category: Privacy Policy

The Commerce Department’s Latest Privacy Initiative on Data Privacy Day

Submitted on January 28, 2011 - 5:00pm
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Today is Data Privacy Day, an annual international celebration to raise awareness and generate discussion about information privacy designated by both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. In honor of Data Privacy Day, here’s an update on the latest Commerce Department initiative to protect the privacy of the American people.

On Jan. 7 at a discussion forum with business and academic leaders at Stanford University, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard A. Schmidt unveiled plans to establish a National Program Office at the Commerce Department to help implement the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, an administration initiative that aims to foster private-sector development of new technologies that can improve both the privacy and the security of sensitive online transactions.

Cybercrime and identity theft cost U.S. consumers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. So the idea is that the private sector would lead the development of better technologies for consumers and businesses to establish their identities before they conduct sensitive transactions like banking, shopping or downloading health care records. The Commerce Department would facilitate the process by building consensus on standards and managing collaborative efforts with other federal agencies.

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General Counsel Kerry addresses the OECD 30th Annual Privacy Guidelines Conference in Jerusalem

Submitted on October 26, 2010 - 5:19pm
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Alternate TextYesterday, General Counsel Kerry participated in the keynote panel of the 30th Annual OECD Privacy Guidelines Conference.  The conference's opening remarks were delivered by Director General Guy Rotkopf of the Israeli Ministry of Justice and OECD Deputy Secretary-General Richard Boucher.  The keynote panel entitled “Privacy in the Context of the Internet -- Recording Everything and Forgetting Nothing?” featured GC Kerry, joined by Jennifer Stoddart, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada; Andrew Wyckoff, Director of Science, the Technology and Industry, OECD; and Marie Shroff, the Privacy Commissioner of New Zealand (as pictured from right to left). 

The group discussed a broad range of privacy principles and issues facing government officials and policy makers in both the private and public sectors.  In his remarks, Kerry expressed a desire to create a global environment that fosters meaningful tools to protect privacy.  He also focused on developing a policy that will create the trust that is necessary for consumers, industry and government to continue the innovation that has caused tremendous economic growth.  The first day of the conference then concluded with closing remarks from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

More information on the OECD Privacy Conference here.

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General Counsel Kerry to co-chair new White House Subcommittee on Privacy

Submitted on October 25, 2010 - 3:21pm
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General Counsel Cameron F. Kerry will co-chair the White House Council’s new Subcommittee on Privacy and Internet Policy with Assistant Attorney General Christopher Schroeder.

As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to promoting the vast economic opportunity of the Internet and protecting individual privacy, the National Science and Technology Council has launched a new Subcommittee on Privacy and Internet Policy. Populated by representatives from more than a dozen Departments, agencies and Federal offices, and co-chaired by the two of us, the subcommittee will develop principles and strategic directions with the goal of fostering consensus in legislative, regulatory, and international Internet policy realms.

Read More here.

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Promoting Security and Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age

Submitted on September 21, 2010 - 11:05am
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General Counsel Cameron F. Kerry TestifiesOn Wednesday, September 22, 2010, General Counsel Cameron Kerry testified before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The Committee is holding a hearing on "The Electronic Communications Privacy Act: Promoting Security and Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age." General Counsel Kerry appeared on a panel with Associate Deputy Attorney General James A. Baker from the Department of Justice. 

General Counsel Kerry’s testimony reflects the work of the Department of Commerce Internet Policy Task Force on data privacy, cybersecurity, and other issues affecting the digital economy in the 21st Century.

General Counsel Kerry’s testimony reflects the work of the Department of Commerce Internet Policy Task Force on data privacy, cybersecurity, and other issues affecting the digital economy in the 21st Century.  The testimony discussed changes in the digital landscape since the Electronic Communications Privacy Act was enacted in 1986, especially in cloud computing, mobile phones, and location services.

Here is link to his prepared testimony (PDF).

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