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P. 21
D .C. TODAY
BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS
HAVE STAKES IN
DATA PRIVACY
Article by Thomas J. Donohue,
President and CEO, U.S. Chamber
of Commerce
The challenges and complexities of living, and share consumer data. They must clearly
working, and doing business in a digital world communicate their privacy policies to help earn
were on full display last week when lawmakers their customers’ trust – and keep their business.
on Capitol Hill grilled tech leaders on a variety of
hot topics. One was data privacy, an issue of huge Third, it must ensure flexibility in
significance to businesses and consumers alike. order to promote innovation.
Privacy policies must not include mandates that
When data are used responsibly, they lead to require businesses to use specific technology to
new opportunities and efficiencies in education, implement consumer protection. Instead, they
entertainment, health care, employment, and should provide safe harbors and other incentives
business creation. Data-driven innovation also for businesses to develop fast, nimble, and
enables consumers to take advantage of faster, consumer-friendly privacy programs that keep up
better, and more customizable services at lower with rapidly evolving technology.
costs. It’s in everyone’s interest to safeguard data
through smart policies that promote innovation, C_TEC worked closely with industry
provide regulatory certainty, and respect stakeholders and leaders on Capitol Hill
individual privacy and choice. and in the administration to come up with
our guiding principles. Given our large and
To that end, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce diverse membership, the Chamber is a natural
has been a leading proponent for a data privacy leader on an issue that has such sweeping
framework that provides clear and consistent implications for businesses, consumers, and
guidelines. The Chamber’s Technology our economy. As lawmakers eye legislative
Engagement Center, or C_TEC, recently released solutions, we urge them to consider these
several principles for data privacy that will achieve thoughtfully developed principles.
those goals.
But we better act quickly. California is moving
First, a data privacy framework must forward with a precedent-setting privacy law that
be nationwide. While the U.S. will place undue burden on businesses, and other
already has a history of robust privacy protection, states are sure to follow. The trial bar already
Congress should adopt a federal policy that senses that a lawsuit bonanza is in the offing, as
preempts state law. Otherwise, consumers and more consumer data are exposed to cyberattacks
businesses will be left to navigate a patchwork of while our nation lacks coherent and consistent
confusing and inconsistent rules. privacy policies.
Second, the policy must emphasize The time is now for smart, effective, and
transparency. Businesses thoughtful solutions to this complex challenge.■
must be open about how they collect, use,
SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL 19
BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS
HAVE STAKES IN
DATA PRIVACY
Article by Thomas J. Donohue,
President and CEO, U.S. Chamber
of Commerce
The challenges and complexities of living, and share consumer data. They must clearly
working, and doing business in a digital world communicate their privacy policies to help earn
were on full display last week when lawmakers their customers’ trust – and keep their business.
on Capitol Hill grilled tech leaders on a variety of
hot topics. One was data privacy, an issue of huge Third, it must ensure flexibility in
significance to businesses and consumers alike. order to promote innovation.
Privacy policies must not include mandates that
When data are used responsibly, they lead to require businesses to use specific technology to
new opportunities and efficiencies in education, implement consumer protection. Instead, they
entertainment, health care, employment, and should provide safe harbors and other incentives
business creation. Data-driven innovation also for businesses to develop fast, nimble, and
enables consumers to take advantage of faster, consumer-friendly privacy programs that keep up
better, and more customizable services at lower with rapidly evolving technology.
costs. It’s in everyone’s interest to safeguard data
through smart policies that promote innovation, C_TEC worked closely with industry
provide regulatory certainty, and respect stakeholders and leaders on Capitol Hill
individual privacy and choice. and in the administration to come up with
our guiding principles. Given our large and
To that end, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce diverse membership, the Chamber is a natural
has been a leading proponent for a data privacy leader on an issue that has such sweeping
framework that provides clear and consistent implications for businesses, consumers, and
guidelines. The Chamber’s Technology our economy. As lawmakers eye legislative
Engagement Center, or C_TEC, recently released solutions, we urge them to consider these
several principles for data privacy that will achieve thoughtfully developed principles.
those goals.
But we better act quickly. California is moving
First, a data privacy framework must forward with a precedent-setting privacy law that
be nationwide. While the U.S. will place undue burden on businesses, and other
already has a history of robust privacy protection, states are sure to follow. The trial bar already
Congress should adopt a federal policy that senses that a lawsuit bonanza is in the offing, as
preempts state law. Otherwise, consumers and more consumer data are exposed to cyberattacks
businesses will be left to navigate a patchwork of while our nation lacks coherent and consistent
confusing and inconsistent rules. privacy policies.
Second, the policy must emphasize The time is now for smart, effective, and
transparency. Businesses thoughtful solutions to this complex challenge.■
must be open about how they collect, use,
SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL 19
