FTC Looks to Link Do-Not-Track, Big Data Privacy Concerns; Seeks Solutions

http://ow.ly/9HlZF

An article by Boris Segalis and Nihar Shah posted on the infolawgroup.com website.

This article discusses the definitions of "Do Not Track" (DNT) as well as "Big Data".  The article also discusses government attempts to regulate DNT and Big Data.

The article states, "Big Data is poised to expand. The advent of the Smart Grid (which includes smart meters, smart appliances, electric/hybrid car charging stations and other elements of the utility infrastructure) will enable the collection of ever more precise and powerful information about consumer behavior. Again, the Smart Grid has the potential to boost the U.S. economy, but as the consumer information flows into Big Data, regulators will want the industry to play by the rules.

While Big Data is in flux, there are things data companies can do: understand how the company processes data, contractual and legal limitations on the data processing, best practices (including those gleaned from FTC guidance and White House and FTC reports) and enforcement risks, and implement privacy controls that are consistent with the organization’s business needs and risk comfort levels. We know that the departure point for FTC’s enforcement is privacy violations that the Commission perceives to be egregious. This should give some comfort to Big Data companies that strive to process personal data in a fair and transparent manner that they would not be the first door on which the FTC knocks.

Finally, while the DNT debate is raging, companies have at their disposal many existing options to be proactive in ensuring that their online privacy practices are fair and transparent in the eyes of regulators and consumer advocacy groups (e.g., BBB and NAI advertising opt-out programs, website analytics opt-outs and other tools). However the debate on DNT ultimately settles, companies can use these tools today to demonstrate their commitment to respecting consumers’ privacy choices."