[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT OF 2000

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2000

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a bill I 
introduced, H.R. 3560, the Online Privacy Protection Act of 2000. This 
bill would protect Internet consumers by ensuring they are informed 
when a website operator is collecting personal information about them, 
and further providing a process for consumers to ``opt out'' of 
allowing companies to use their personal information for marketing and 
other purposes.
  We all know the Internet is one of the most exciting and explosive 
developments of our time. In fact, many people have called the advent 
of the Internet the second Industrial Revolution. With the explosion of 
E-commerce in America and around the world, people are buying 
everything from food to stocks over the Internet. To allow this 
exciting sector of our economy to reach its true potential, I believe 
we must ensure that consumers privacy is not neglected in the process.
  There is absolutely no question that the Internet is one of the most 
valuable and fastest growing forces in our economy. Along with the 
Internet and so many other advances in technologies, it is easier than 
ever before to collect information and data and send it around the 
world with a simple click of a mouse.
  As a result of the growth of the Internet and the ease with which 
website operators have the ability to collect information, it is 
important that all the players in the Internet industry take proactive 
steps to protect their consumers. If this is done effectively by the 
industry itself, perhaps legislation will not be needed.
  While the Internet grows at a breathtaking pace, so do consumer 
concerns about their privacy online. I have heard from many of my 
constituents in writing, by e-mail, by telephone and at town hall 
meetings on this issue. Quite frankly, they are shocked by the reports 
about information being collected about them without their knowledge, 
let alone the frightening reports that much of the information that is 
collected is not secure. We do not want consumers to lose confidence in 
the Internet.
  Consumers should have the opportunity to know what information is 
collected about them, how it is collected and for what purposes. Net 
surfers want and deserve assurance that personal information that is 
provided at a website is not misused. That is what H.R. 3560 would do 
without curtailing the exciting growth and potential of the Internet.

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