Last week saw two noteworthy announcements on the privacy front. First, the House Commerce Committee announced its intention to conduct a comprehensive review of data security and electronic privacy. In the statement released last week, the Committee highlighted its immediate focus on data security, but also noted that later in the year will turn to “broader electronic privacy concerns,” including mobile and web “tracking.” Chairwoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) will introduce draft data breach legislation in the near future, with the intention for quick Committee consideration. Additionally, deputy Federal CTO Danny Weitzner confirmed last week that the Administration’s white paper will be released “later in the summer,” proposing a safe-harbor approach based on a broad set of information privacy principles.
On the cybersecurity front, new legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. John McCaul (R-TX). McCaul, who was tapped by Speaker Boehner at the beginning of the year to take the lead on this issue, introduced H.R. 2096 on Thursday, “legislation to advance cybersecurity research, development, and technical standards.” Meanwhile, key Senate staff continue to deliberate on their draft legislation and reconcile differences with the recent administration proposal.
And on the education technology front, this Thursday SIIA expects Senator Bingaman (D-NM) to reintroduce the Achievement Through Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Act. The ATTAIN Act has been championed by SIIA and a coalition of education and industry groups for several years to revamp the technology grant program in the No Child Left Behind Act, which is still up for reauthorization.
Also last week, SIIA submitted comments to the Federal Reserve Boards in response to their proposed clarifications of warranties and liabilities in connection with electronically-created items (checks). In our comments, SIIA noted that efficiency-enhancing innovations rely on electronic processing of information that is only impeded by traditional requirements for paper origination and authentication.
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