Stearns describes privacy bill, emphasizing self-regulation

Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) described his draft legislation to promote online privacy during a speech to the Technology Policy Institute on Friday. 

"My draft legislation requires covered entities to provide consumers in clear and easy-to-understand language what information is being collected and how the information is being used. It includes a provision for an FTC approved five-year, self-regulatory program and prescribes requirements for a self-regulatory consumer dispute resolution process," he said. 

Stearns worked with former Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) to draft online privacy legislation in the last Congress. He based his latest bill on legislation he introduced in 2005 to address online privacy.