John Bel Edwards: “Big Browser is watching you. Almost every time, you or I or an American consumer surfs the Internet, someone is tracking…”

“Big Browser is watching you. Almost every time, you or I or an American consumer surfs the Internet, someone is tracking our movements. And someone is compiling a databank of information about our preferences and could even be profiling us. Maybe they're doing it to make our experience better. Most of the time, they probably are. But too often we are being profiled for profit, and at the expense of privacy. I am proud to co-sponsor Senator Hollings' legislation, the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, that would help consumers gain control of their most personal information. I believe that the measure we introduce today is a step in the right direction. It strikes the right balance. Privacy is protected, while critical elements of the information revolution are preserved. Consumer confidence in the Internet is bolstered, while businesses will not be overburdened by the requirements. We can enjoy the convenience of online shopping and allow e-commerce to thrive without putting profits over privacy. Consumers, not dot.com companies, should control the use of confidential information about buying habits, credit card records and other personal information. Mr. President, the time to act is now. If not, we may wake up one day to find our privacy so thoroughly eroded that recovering it will be almost impossible.”