Report: Commerce gets low mark on consumer privacy protection
Established in 2003 and led by Dixon, the World Privacy Forum is a nonprofit focused on conducting research and analysis about privacy issues.
The Commerce Department's work on consumer privacy protection in the international arena reflects "indifference and neglect," according to a new report released Monday by the World Privacy Forum.
Through examining an agreement with Europe to protect personal data, known as the "Safe Harbor Framework," the study found that consumer protection has not been a significant concern or priority for the Commerce Department.
Moreover, "The department's history with the Safe Harbor program also indicates a lack of rigor regarding enforcement and compliance in the privacy programs it already administers," said Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum.
Established in 2003 and led by Dixon, the World Privacy Forum is a nonprofit focused on conducting research and analysis about privacy issues.
The study consistently showed "that many and perhaps most Safe Harbor participants are not in compliance with their obligations under the Safe Harbor Framework."
The World Privacy Forum expressed concerned that given the Commerce Department's past performance, it won't effectively protect consumers in the future as the issue gains importance and prominence. The Commerce Department and the Justice Department were named co-chairs of President Obama's recently established Subcommittee on Privacy and Internet Policy.
The new privacy panel is "without a strong voice for consumer privacy interests," the report states.
The Commerce Department did not respond to an immediate request for comment.