Congress Considers National Data Privacy Law

Legislation was introduced into Congress this week that would establish a national data privacy law. The bill would require businesses to disclose to consumers any breaches that result in the exposure of personal information.

The legislation is a reaction to the massive security breaches that have occurred over the last year. In the most notable breach, over 40 million credit card numbers were exposed in a security breach involving CardSystems, an online processor. LexisNexis, Bank of America and other corporate entities have also suffered breaches exposing the personal information of millions of individuals.

Under the new legislation, businesses exposing the personal information of more than 1,000 individuals would be required to notify the individuals. Failure to comply with the law would result in penalties of up to $11 million per incident. Interestingly, the legislation would bar businesses and schools from putting Social Security numbers on any form of identification.

Upon receiving notice, consumers would be allowed to put a notice on their credit reports, which would prevent any company from providing new credit under their name. This would effectively stop thieves from opening new credit accounts with the stolen information.

Will It Pass?

The new legislation has a very good chance of becoming federal law. Sponsored by two Republicans and two Democrats, the bill appears to have bipartisan support. Avoiding the vicious partisan politics on Capital Hill is half the battle for any legislation.

Corporate America also appears to be getting behind the bill. Although this might seem surprising at first, there is a good reason. States including California, Washington and Georgia have already enacted similar laws, but each requires different actions. A federal law, however, will trump all of the state laws and create a uniform requirement for businesses. From a practical standpoint, Corporate America would prefer one standard instead of many.

The new bipartisan legislation is a welcome step in the effort to fight identity theft. Many more steps, however, will be required. You should continue to closely review your credit card statements and credit reports for any unauthorized charges.

Richard Chapo is the lead attorney for the law firm http://www.SanDiegoBusinessLawFirm.com - a firm providing legal advice to California businesses. Visit http://www.sandiegobusinesslawfi rm.com/business_law_articles to read more business law articles.

---

The Dawn On The Nile Valley Has Secrets To Tell! (2)

Submiting the Criminals to The ICC!Everybody concerns about justice in... Read More

North Korea and Diplomatic Solutions; Random Thoughts Part I

You know now that North Korea is backing down on... Read More

The British Sikh Army

Britain has a proud tradition of valiant armed forces and... Read More

OPECs Swan Song?

Indonesia's Energy Minister, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, is unhappy with the modest... Read More

Dafur Emergency: A Challenge To Civilisation

With pain rocking through my whole body today, I cast... Read More

Secret Clandestine Facial Recognition Countermeasures and The Future of the CIA

Presently Universities and Private Enterprise are working to build more... Read More

The Mother of All Political Battles Has Begun!

News is spreading of the retirement of Supreme Court Justice... Read More

World Power Brokers Readying for WWIII

Einstein when ask how did he believe WWIII would be... Read More

The Elephant Roared and Brought Forth a Turd: A Case Against Democratizing the Middle East

The original vulgarity was bylined: ?The Constipation of America's Mid-East... Read More

Mommas, Dont Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Lobbyists

For many years now, I have been the proud holder... Read More

Hillary Says Health Care Can Be Fixed with IT

The great leader and Senator from New York and wife... Read More

Oil Pipelines and Rates of Flow

How much oil can travel through a pipeline? It depends... Read More

US Government Regulators and Aides with AIDS

All government regulators or diplomat who are in high risk... Read More

Elliot Spitzer Blows Chunks

This is the beginning of the end for the man... Read More

UAV Materials and Thoughts on New Technologies and Keeping Up With Our Opponents

Possible UAV materials are infinite: Foam, Composite, Balsa Wood, Plastic,... Read More

Eminent Domain Suggested as Cost Saving Measure in DC

Washington DC council member David Catania actually suggested that the... Read More

To Grow Out Of Unemployment

There is a connection between economic growth and unemployment. There... Read More

The Protocols of Sion #1

There is a lot of debate about who made the... Read More

Accessibility Requirements for Fair Housing

PolicyFederal Fair Housing accessibility requirements for new multifamily buildings should... Read More

Garbage in Garbage out; California Blackouts

Why did the California energy crisis happen? Who is to... Read More

The Public Is Enemy Number One

There is something egregiously wrong about a government that will... Read More

Population Control and Water Supply Issues

As we increase our populations every new soul will require... Read More

Global Initiative of Electronic Commerce Taxation; Guiding Principles for Pakistan

1. United States of America (USA)In the United States, legislation... Read More

Proven Risk Youth Vs At-Risk & High-Risk Youth

In the fields of juvenile justice policy and programming, there... Read More

History of the Media, Radio, and Television

When were the forms of media created? When did advertising... Read More

Electronic Commerce Taxaton: Emerging Legal Issues - Part II

UNAUTHORIZED HACKINGThe term "computer hacking" traditionally describes the penetration into... Read More

North Korea and Diplomatic Solutions; Random Thoughts Part III

Sizing up North Korea is important for a war there.... Read More

Defending Middle Eastern Oil Refineries and Assets

An idea to defend oil infrastructure in the Middle East... Read More

Lets Make Some Things Clear about John Thune/Dan Nelson/MetaBank MetaGate

Let's make one thing clear: This Dan Nelson Automotive fiasco... Read More

Globalism and a Conspiracy

The globalist's are the new breed, the new generation if... Read More

Fuel Prices and Trucking; A Reality Check On What Drives America

It appears we are having a terrible situation with the... Read More

Thune Republicans: Sudden Friends of the Working Person?

The Right's defense of John Thune in the Dan Nelson/MetaBank... Read More

Protectionism in Russia

The new law "Special Protective, Antidumping and Import Compensatory Measures"... Read More