Preserving Privacy

ComputerWorld takes a look at privacy issues this week. Mitch Betts has this editorial:

I scoffed at industry complaints about various provisions being too hard to implement. Businesses also feared a hodgepodge of privacy laws across the 50 states, but I was skeptical of arguments for federal preemption of state privacy laws.

Older and wiser now, I know that those inconsistent and vague laws can make it tough for IT managers to comply even when they truly want to. The best intentions of those young staff attorneys can cause serious headaches for business folks outside the Capital Beltway, as the first story in this special report shows.

I have said it before and will say it again, it is at least as important for a trade association to be the public's advocate to the industry, as it is to be the industry's advocate to the public. Rather than simply complain about the very real problems of multiple privacy laws, vendors should be working with privacy advocates and legislators to develop standards that will protect privacy.