Contacts for Consumers

1. Electronic Privacy Information Center
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) focuses public attention on emerging civil liberties, privacy, First Amendmen issues and works to promote the Public Voice in decisions concerning the future of the Internet. Senate Approves Weak Spam Legislation The Senate has passed the CAN Spam Act. EPIC earlier testified before the Senate on the need for strong, effective measures to reduce spam. EPIC favors "opt-in" mailing lists, a private right of action for consumers, and freedom for states to pursue spammers, combined with technical measures and international cooperation. Members of the Privacy Coalition also announced a "Framework for Effective Spam Legislation." For more information, see the EPIC Spam page. (Oct. 23) Senators Request JetBlue Investigation A trio of senators have sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, calling for an investigation into whether the Department of Defense violated Privacy Act regulations in its dealings with JetBlue Airways. In the letter, Susan Collins (R-Me.), Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) call on Rumsfeld to determine why Torch Concepts, a Department of Defense contractor, solicited passenger information from JetBlue and whether or not this action was a violation of the Privacy Act of 1974. EPIC has filed expedited Freedom of Information Act requests with several federal agencies to learn more about the uses of the disclosed JetBlue passenger records. For more information, see EPIC's passenger profiling page. (Oct. 21) Senate Passes Ban on Genetic Discrimination The Senate has unanimously passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2003, S.1053 which prohibits discrimination in health insurance on the basis of genetic information. Employers are also prohibited from discriminating in hiring, promotions or in any other way on the basis of genetic information or on the basis of a request for genetic services, prohibited from requiring genetic tests or from purchasing genetic information. The legislation now goes to the House for debate. For more information, see EPIC's genetic privacy page. (Oct. 21) Supreme Court to Review Nevada ID Law The Supreme Court announced yesterday that it will consider Hiibel v. Sixth Judical District Court of Nevada, a case that will determine whether an individual who has not been arrested may refuse to identify himself to a law enforcement officer. EPIC and others will file a "friend of the court" brief. The Court will hear oral arguments in the case early next year. (Oct. 21) EPIC Seeks Release of DOJ Patriot Lobbying Info In court papers (pdf) filed this week, EPIC is seeking the expedited release of Justice Department records concerning the lobbying efforts of federal prosecutors to oppose revisions to the controversial USA PATRIOT Act. Despite widespread media coverage of the lobbying campaign, and questions as to its legality, DOJ has refused to expedite EPIC's disclosure request. (Oct. 15) EPIC, PIRG Comment on Security Notices In comments to the Department of the Treasury, EPIC and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group urged the agency to strengthen a proposed guidance on security notices to bank customers. The proposed guidelines specify when a financial institution must give notice to a customer when their personal information has been accessed without authorization. The comments urge the agency to expand the definition of "sensitive consumer information," and to require financial institutions to report statistical information on all security events to federal regulators. For more information, see the EPIC Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Page. (Oct. 14) Privacy Report Slams Canada ID Plans A Privacy International report finds serious flaws in a Canadian proposal for a national ID card that would require fingerprints and iris scans of all Canadians. The ID plan, which is currently being discussed at a conference on biometrics in Ottawa, would exceed Can. $7 billion and offer no security to the country. A Canadian parliamentary committee report also questioned the proposal. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada rejected the idea of a national ID, calling it "unworkable and unjustified.". See EPIC and PI's recent Privacy and Human Rights 2003 report for background and EPIC pages on National ID Cards and Biometrics. (Oct. 7

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Contacts for Consumers