New privacy laws would damage the First Amendment, and this powerful fact could permanently end the privacy regulation crusade. On the Internet, consumer information is vulnerable if the appropriate precautions are not taken. Many web sites demand that users hand over personal information, such as their name and address, in return for access. In the United States, these sites are then free to use, distribute, or sell this information as they see fit unless they post a privacy policy stating otherwise. Regulation advocates argue this situation is leading to a privacy crisis.
Advocates claim the profit motives contradict privacy interests.
If Congress doesn't grant web users the right to access sites without relinquishing information, they say, a privacy crisis will ensue. The technology industry disagrees. Industry-backed advocacy groups such as the Online Privacy Alliance point out that profit motives actually protect privacy. Online businesses must alleviate privacy concerns or watch customers migrate to competitors. This competitive pressure spurs businesses to safeguard consumer information.