The FTC's Proposed Framework for Privacy Protection Online: A Move Toward Substantive Controls or Just More Notice and Choice?

Abstract:     
The FTC released a "proposed framework" for privacy protection late in 2010. While the new framework made headlines by calling for a "do not track" list that consumers could use to avoid being tracked online, most of the framework continues to rely heavily on a notice and choice regime whereby consumers will be expected to make privacy decisions in market transactions (e.g., notice and opt-out opportunities). This paper explains why this approach is not likely to lead to enhance privacy protection in Internet transactions in the years to come.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 18

Keywords: consumer, privacy, Internet, information privacy, do not track, FTC, proposed framework

Accepted Paper Series