WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a senior member and former chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee and current Co-Chairman of the Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, released the following statement today upon announcement of Google’s settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding privacy violations associated with its Google Buzz program.
 
“I commend the Commission for being a tough cop on the beat for consumers and ensuring the strong settlement terms announced today. I also applaud Google for doing the right thing and committing to the implementation of a comprehensive privacy program that will include an independent assessment of its privacy and data protection practices for the next 20 years. As a longstanding advocate for clear, easy to use opt-in policies for putting consumers in control of the sharing and disclosure of their personal information, I am particularly pleased that the settlement includes a new requirement that Google must obtain users’ permission before sharing their information if the company changes its sharing practices in a way that’s contrary to any privacy promises it previously had made.  The privacy safeguards mandated by the settlement will benefit Google users. They should also set a new, higher standard for other companies to adopt so that consumers won’t have to sacrifice their privacy when they go online.”
 
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