A White House proposal aimed at overhauling what Internet companies like Google and Facebook should do with consumer data is currently in the works and is expected to head to Congress in February.
The proposal, which gives the Federal Trade Commission additional powers in policing the proposed rules, is expected to meet with certain opposition from the Republican-led Congress,
Politico reported.
It would require that large Internet companies, online marketers, mobile app developers, and other such entities would have to obtain the consumer's permission in order to collect and share personal information, sources told Politico.
In certain situations, the companies would be required to have consumers sign off on their information being used, if a company wants to use it in a different way.
The FTC would be responsible for enforcing the new privacy rules, enhancing the agency's authority significantly by allowing it to fine companies for violations.
And there would also be additional oversight over companies that often work behind the scenes as data brokers, collecting information to sell to other companies.
In addition, the proposal allows consumers easier accessibility to information that is collected about them as well as the option to correct any inaccurate information.
This aligns with a promise President Barack Obama made during a
speech at the FTC on Jan. 12 in which he said that "there ought to be some basic baseline protections across industries."
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