Incidents of identity theft and cyber-stalking have added urgency to the call for Congress to beef up privacy protection. Congress has acted before to pass the 1970 Fair Reporting Act, the 1974 Privacy Act and the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, just to name a few. However, Members of Congress who typically sniff out issues with great publicity potential have only passed one bill this year that protects financial information. One reason is effective lobbying by e-commerce and high technology representatives who warn that government regulation may stifle growth and not do all that much to protect consumers.
Lawmakers find themselves in an awkward spot.
Consumers want protection, but also responsive service from online merchandisers. The pace of technology change has everyone's head spinning and they aren't sure what to do. Some online retailers have taken it upon themselves to earn and preserve consumer trust by implementing voluntary policies that respect privacy. There also are daily advances in security devices. Chances are this won't calm consumer concerns amplified by thrillers such as Enemies of the State that showcase spy technology that would make even the most laid-back person afraid to turn on his or her television set.