WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), Co-Chairmen of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, today released the following statement in response to media reports that Google collected Social Security numbers of children who participated in the Doodle 4 Google contest: 
 
“We are deeply disturbed by recent media reports that Google may have engaged in sketchy practices with its Doodle 4 Google contest by collecting the social security numbers of children who participated in the contest. This is unacceptable. As Co-Chairmen of the Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, we have long believed that consumers should have control over their own personal information. It is particularly important that stringent privacy protections are applied so that children do not have their personal information collected or disclosed. We plan to convene a Caucus hearing to discuss industry practices as they relate to online privacy, including protection of information about children. We have long focused on the issue of online privacy and safeguarding sensitive and personal information and we will continue to actively monitor developments in this important area.”
 
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