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Key Senators Express Support for Privacy Protection

At a hearing on Internet Privacy in the Senate Commerce Committee, several key Senators expressed support for strong privacy protections in law. At the hearing, Chairman Hollings (D-SC), former Chair McCain (R-AZ), and Senator Kerry (D-MA) announced their intention to introduce Internet privacy legislation. In addition, Senator Edwards (D-NC) announced the introduction of a new bill that would require notice and opt-in consent for the commercial use of location information harvested from wireless devices. EPIC Executive Director Marc Rotenberg testified at the hearing in support of privacy legislation that incorporates Fair Information Practices.

Testimony of Marc Rotenberg, Hearing on Information Privacy, US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, July 11, 2001.
Senators promise action to boost Internet privacy, Siliconvalley.com (Reuters), July 11, 2001.
Senate Panel Takes Up Internet Privacy Issue, Washington Post, July 11, 2001.
Senators Shift Toward Opt-In Privacy Legislation, Newsbytes, July 11, 2001.
Senate Still Keen on Net Privacy, Wired News (AP), July 11, 2001.
S. 1164, Location Privacy Bill, THOMAS Database.
Senator Edwards Proposes Location Privacy Law, Press Release, Senator Edwards Web Site, July 11, 2001.