Many in the Internet tracking industry argue that steps to empower consumers to decide for themselves whether they want to allow tracking of their online activity will kill free Internet content. I, for one, do not buy this argument.

Social networking sites like Facebook have made it possible for Internet users to share the details of their lives.

Mr. Butterfield actually mentioned earlier that the online behavioral advertising industry in this year alone represents a $30 billion economy, and that is growing.

I think we are all well aware that a lot of free content available on the Internet is made possible by advertising, all types of advertising, not just behaviorally targeted advertising.

You mentioned Social Security numbers, and that is somewhat intriguing.

Children's health and well-being are paramount. I think we can all agree on that.

opening statement

I believe to properly evaluate IRIS's performance, we must have absolute clarity on the function of IRIS.

Let me thank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening this very important hearing today and particularly we thank the witnesses for their testimony.

IRIS, as we all know, is the foundation of our public health and environmental policy and it should be reviewed periodically to ensure it is being carried out at peak performance.

Am I correct that you are not required by the statute to determine whether changing the definition of personal information will unreasonably impede technological innovation?