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Telecom Companies Form Privacy Coalition

The 21st Century Privacy Coalition, a new group formed by U.S. communications companies and trade associations, will push for better data security laws in the wake of disclosures about wide-ranging government surveillance programs.

Unfortunately, our internet privacy laws are confusing to consumers and businesses alike.

Leading U.S. telecommunications firms are forming a privacy group in response to the recent revelations about secret surveillance programs run by the National Security Agency.

The 21st Century Privacy Coalition, to be cochaired by former Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz and former Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), will “push for privacy and data security laws that better serve consumer expectations as well as technological and competitive changes in the communications marketplace,” according to The Hill.

Founding coalition members will include AT&T, Comcast, CTIA-The Wireless Association, DIRECTV, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, and the U.S. Telecom Association, AdWeek reported. No details have yet emerged of the coalition’s specific plans or proposals for enhancing privacy protections.

“Americans care enormously about privacy, and consumers always benefit when the rules of the road are clear and predictable,” Leibowtiz told  AdWeek. “Unfortunately, our internet privacy laws are confusing to consumers and businesses alike.”

(iStockphoto/Thinkstock)

Daniel Ford

By Daniel Ford

Daniel Ford is a contributor to Associations Now. MORE

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