Internet businesses object to Senate bill to protect consumers

WASHINGTON - Online businesses are objecting to a Senate bill designed to protect consumers&#39; privacy. <br> <br> The proposed legislation limits what Web companies can do with information they collect about customers. <br> <br> The companies complain it would expose them to lawsuits and hamper their success against bricks-and-mortar competitors. <br> <br> But consumer groups say the bill is a mostly balanced approach that would help curb privacy abuses on the Internet. <br> <br> Online businesses would have to get consumers&#39; express permission before sharing sensitive information with third parties. Information covered includes banking accounts, medical information, political or religious affiliation or Social Security numbers. <br> <br> Less sensitive, mostly marketing-related data could be distributed unless the customer took the initiative to forbid it.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/4/195502