roundtable: Privacy Press Release

roundtable: Privacy Press Release

Privacy Press Release

David E. Gardner (DGARDNER@ntia.doc.gov)
Mon, 23 Oct 1995 17:53:32 -0400 

Message-Id: <s08bd6d0.029@ntia.doc.gov>
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 17:53:32 -0400
From: David E. Gardner <DGARDNER@ntia.doc.gov>
To: roundtable@cni.org
Subject:  Privacy Press Release


I have attached information about NTIA's privacy white paper, "Privacy
and the NII: Safeguarding Telecommunications-Related Personal
Information."  For more information, the report was featured in the 
lead story in today's USA Today.

Thanks,

David Gardner
NTIA
<dgardner@ntia.doc.gov>


U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Telecommunications and Information Administration


For Immediate Release:                    Contact:  Paige Darden
October 23, 1995                                    202-482-1551


CLINTON ADMINISTRATION URGES BETTER PROTECTION OF CONSUMER
PRIVACY ON THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Commerce Department's National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has
recommended a framework for communications providers that will help
protect consumers' personal information while they travel the information
superhighway of today and tomorrow.  

     The recommendation on protection of consumer privacy was
contained in a report, Privacy and The National Information Infrastructure
(NII):  Safeguarding Telecommunications-Related Personal Information,
which was released today at the official White House ceremony to
launch National Consumers Week 1995.

     "Consumers deserve to know what is happening with personal
information that their telecommunications service providers are collecting
-- and we predict that if companies assure their customers of privacy
protection, the result will be greater use of services and increased
market opportunities for the private sector," said Larry Irving, assistant
secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and
administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration.

     Through this report, the Clinton Administration is urging all
communications providers to agree on a self-regulated, voluntary basis
to notify as well as obtain consumers' consent before using their
personal information for purposes other than the service subscribed to
by the consumer.
  
     The report focuses on the private sector's collection, use, and
dissemination of consumers' personal information, such as name,
address, billing information and usage patterns.  Currently, there is no
uniform law that can be applied to all telecommunications service
providers regarding collection and dissemination of personal information. 
The report suggests that companies voluntarily put into place policies that
would make consumers aware and able to make decisions about the use
and dissemination of their personal information.  



-more-
Page Two


 	"At a minimum, it is imperative that long-distance and local
telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite, cellular phone, paging,
and Internet service providers fully disclose to consumers their policies
regarding personal information if we are to realize the full potential of the
Information Age," said Irving.
 
 	"An advanced information infrastructure promises enormous
economic, social and cultural benefits to the Nation -- such as enhanced
access to educational and employment opportunities, and improved
delivery of health care and government services," said Irving.  "We do
not want people to be reluctant to take advantage of these benefits
because of fear that their personal information will be used in ways that
are unexpected or inappropriate."

     "The reality is that if companies are not more forthcoming with
their customers, consumers will begin to demand legislative and
regulatory solutions to guarantee protection of their personal
information," added Irving.

     "We are encouraged by recent signs that companies are beginning to 
compete with each other based on their privacy policies, just as they do 
for price, service, and quality," said Irving.  "We hope that the 
framework this report sets forth for companies will be adopted by all
telecommunications service providers so that it will not be necessary for
the government to step in."

     NTIA serves as the principal adviser to the President, Vice
President and Secretary of Commerce on domestic and international
communications and information issues and represents the Executive
Branch before the Congress, other Federal agencies, foreign
governments and international organizations.  

     To obtain a copy of The National Information Infrastructure (NII): 
Safeguarding Telecommunications-Related Personal Information report,
please contact the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Technical
Information Service (NTIS) at 703-487-4650.  The request order number
is pb96-109-087.  The report is available on the Internet at
www.ntia.doc.gov or gopher.ntia.doc.gov in the new items section.

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