WASHINGTON-After hinting at such legislation all year, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) last week introduced legislation aimed at protecting the privacy of mobile-phone users.
“If you have a cell phone in your pocket or OnStar in your car, somebody knows where you are at all times. This bill is designed to make sure that no one misuses your personal information. We need to get ahead of the curve on what will soon be a real problem,” said Edwards.
The Location Privacy Protection Act would require wireless service providers to notify consumers that they are collecting location information and get the consumers’ consent before disclosing or selling this information. In addition, consumers would have to have access to their location information and have a way to correct errors.
“Technology makes our lives easier in so many ways, but that convenience can compromise our privacy. The same technology that puts information at our fingertips can also make our personal information available to the highest bidder,” said Edwards.
The bill would not interfere with enhanced 911 services, said Edwards.
Edwards highlighted the bill at a hearing on Internet privacy held by the Senate Commerce Committee last week.
