Senator Bryan takes a last shot at improving internet privacy protections

WASHINGTON - Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., says he is taking one last shot at legislation to improve privacy protections for Internet users.

He urged fellow members of the Senate Commerce Committee to help him "at the very least, establish a baseline standard for the protection of consumer privacy on the Internet." He introduced legislation along with Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., to accomplish that earlier this year.

"If consumers are ever going to feel the kind of security on the Internet as they do when they are shopping at their favorite neighborhood stores, we are going to have to provide some basic rules and regulations to ensure that personal information is not shared or sold without the knowledge and consent of that consumer," he said.

The bill is designed to provide "notice, choice, access and security" for consumers using the Internet, Bryan said. It would prohibit Internet Service Providers or commercial websites from collecting, using or disclosing personally identifiable information without getting permission.

Bryan has tried for several years to increase consumer and child protections on the Internet. This is his last attempt at a privacy standard since he will be retiring at the end of the year.