[Privsec] US government comments on WGIG - privacy and consumer protection paras

[Ralf Bendrath]

http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/2005/51063.htm

Comments of the United States of America on Internet Governance

Released by the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
August 15, 2005

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Data Protection and Privacy:
The United States appreciates the concerns expressed in the report on data 
protection and privacy. Protecting the privacy of individuals’ sensitive 
personal information is a priority for the United States government and 
for United States consumers. Companies have an important role to play by 
implementing reasonable safeguards to protect sensitive consumer data. The 
United States also believes that multilateral and private-sector 
initiatives have a strong and important role to play in encouraging the 
development and use of privacy-enhancing technologies and in promoting 
consumer education and awareness about online privacy issues. A deliberate 
and balanced approach to privacy that is open to innovations offers the 
best environment for Internet expansion. Any effective approach to 
ensuring protection of personal information includes: appropriate laws to 
protect consumer privacy in highly sensitive areas such as financial, 
medical, and children's privacy; government enforcement of these laws; and 
encouragement of private sector efforts to protect consumer privacy.

Consumer Protection:
The United States believes that a vigorous, competitive electronic 
marketplace benefits consumers. Consumer protection policy should ensure 
that consumers can make well-informed decisions about their choices in 
this marketplace and that sellers will fulfill their promises by the 
products they offer. To this end, governments should protect consumers by: 
(1) enforcing laws against practices that harm consumers; (2) 
disseminating information and educating consumers; and (3) encouraging 
private sector leadership to develop codes of conduct and to provide 
easy-to-use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for addressing 
consumer complaints. These principles are expressed in various existing 
international guidelines for consumer protection, including the United 
Nations Guidelines on Consumer Protection, the OECD Guidelines for 
Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce, and the APEC Consumer 
Protection Principles.

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