From: "ama-gi ISPI" <offshore@email.msn.com> Subject: IP: ISPI Clips 6.10: Washington to Seek Public's Advice on EU Privacy Laws Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 00:29:18 -0800 To: <Undisclosed.Recipients@majordomo.pobox.com> ISPI Clips 6.10: Washington to Seek Public's Advice on EU Privacy Laws News & Info from the Institute for the Study of Privacy Issues (ISPI) Thursday November 5, 1998 ISPI4Privacy@ama-gi.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This From: Fox News, November 4, 1998 http://www.foxnews.com U.S. Negotiators Ask For Public Feedback in Talks With Europe Over Privacy Law http://www.foxnews.com/js_index.sml?content=/news/wires2/1104/n_ap_1104_334 .sml NEW YORK — Raising the stakes in its talks with Europe over a new privacy law there, the Commerce Department on Wednesday publicly reaffirmed a laissez-faire approach toward protecting personal privacy that remains at odds on key positions taken by European negotiators. The Commerce Department released a statement for public feedback that details its basic position in the talks. The talks attempt to resolve deep differences over a sweeping European privacy measure that has the potential to disrupt some commerce with the United States. The law took effect on Oct. 26, but sanctions were suspended while the talks go on. U.S. firms from global drug makers to direct marketers doing business in Europe fear the new directive could bar them from using customers' confidential information for everything from valuable scientific research to junk mail, stifling business commerce. In its position paper, the U.S. reiterated its view that U.S. companies should not be forced to give people access to personal information about themselves. In addition, companies should have the option to choose an independent industry group to police its privacy policies, instead of a government body, as required by the European law. "For now, we're trying to get (Europe's) reaction to these principles themselves,'' said David Aaron, under secretary of Commerce. Aaron said the United States wants to give companies "safe harbors'' to satisfy privacy protection demands. Some experts said the government's seeking of public comment could suggest that the United States may seek to modify its position if enough people favor the European approach. "This is significant because it is the first time that the Commerce Department has asked for public comment on its negotiating position with the European Union,'' said Joel Reidenberg, a law professor at Fordham University and an expert on U.S.-Europe relations. A Commerce Department spokeswoman said the principles would be posted on its Web site. © 1998, News America Digital Publishing, Inc. d/b/a Fox Market Wire. --------------------------------NOTICE:------------------------------ ISPI Clips are news & opinion articles on privacy issues from all points of view; they are clipped from local, national and international newspapers, journals and magazines, etc. Inclusion as an ISPI Clip does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of the content or opinion by ISPI. In compliance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed free without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISPI Clips is a FREE e-mail service from the "Institute for the Study of Privacy Issues" (ISPI). 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