Dec 12, 2011: Bipartisan Privacy Caucus To Hold Public Forum with FTC Chairman, Privacy Experts
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bi-Partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus will host a public forum this Wednesday on protecting the privacy of children and teens online.  Representatives Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas) are Co-Chairmen of the Privacy Caucus, which has 25 members from both sides of the aisle. Stakeholders – including Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Liebowitz and Commissioner Julie Brill – will attend the forum and answer questions about industry practices.
 
The event is open to the public, Members of Congress, and congressional staff.
 
Reps. Markey and Barton said in a joint statement: “Over the past several months, we have seen first-hand how security and data breaches, and other exposures of children’s personal information put kids at risk when they are online. Now is the time for new legislation to protect children and teens and prevent them from being tracked across the Internet. This forum will give policy makers and stakeholders an opportunity to discuss topics such as opt-in mechanisms, targeted advertising and parental controls. We look forward to an engaging discussion about the tools needed to safeguard children and teens in the online environment.”
 
What: Privacy Caucus Forum on children and teen online privacy
 
Who:
·         Chairman Jon Leibowitz, FTC Chairman
·         Commissioner Julie Brill, FTC Commissioner
·         Alan Simpson, Common Sense Media
·         Marc Rotenberg, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
·         Kathryn Montgomery, Professor at American University
 
When: Wednesday, December 14, 11 a.m.
 
Where: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington D.C.
 
The Forum will be webcast. Link is forthcoming.
 
In May, Reps. Markey and Barton introduced the “Do Not Track Kids Act of 2011 ”, legislation that amends the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to extend, enhance and update the provisions relating to the collection, use and disclosure of children’s personal information.  The legislation also establishes new protections for the personal information of children and teens.
 
###