Bills to target online privacy

May 9, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON

The push for new laws to protect online privacy — particularly the ability of websites to track people’s movements across the Internet — gained momentum as key lawmakers said they would propose new legislation.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV, D-W.Va., said he would introduce a bill creating a legal obligation for online companies to honor consumer requests not to track their online activities. And Reps. Joe L. Barton, R-Texas, and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., circulated draft legislation to protect the privacy of children online.

“For millions of kids today, the Internet is their new 21st-century playground — they learn, play and connect with others every day,” said Markey, who along with Barton chairs the Bipartisan Congressional Privacy Caucus.

“But kids growing up in this online environment also need protection from the dangers that can lurk in cyberspace. Unfortunately, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ can apply to the 21st-century Internet and the beloved children’s book.”

Markey and Barton want to update the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998. Their proposed Do Not Track Kids Act would require online companies to get parental consent to collect personal information from children younger than 13.

Online companies would be prohibited from using personal information from children and teenagers for targeted advertisements and other marketing.