FTC and Facebook in Spotlight as Privacy Issues Escalate

The Federal Trade Commission today released its framework (and the cautionary video above) for protecting consumers’ privacy online. Building on its draft privacy proposal from last year which outlined guidelines for companies to handle personal data and recommended the “Do Not Track” button option, the FTC has legal authority to sue companies that violate privacy policies.

Under FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, the agency last year brought charges against both Google and Facebook for alleged violations. At issue, in addition to personal privacy, the tougher the regulations the bigger the incursion on profits reaped by web giants who use the data from targeted advertising to offer their services for free.Continue reading...