Seeks to Ensure Universal Benefit to Consumers

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative John D. Dingell, participated in a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection to discuss concerns about the online industry’s tracking of consumers and determine if federal legislation needs to be enacted to help oversee the industry. 

Congressman Dingell’s opening statement for the “Do Not Track Legislation: Is Now the Right Time?” hearing is below:

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening today’s important hearing.  I am pleased that the hearing, as its title suggests, is exploratory in nature.  I have many questions concerning the matter of data privacy, and in particular the question of potential “do not track” requirements, just as I suspect my colleagues on this subcommittee do.

I have long held that Americans have a reasonable right to privacy and consequently sought to incorporate this belief in all manner of legislation.  The great success of the “Do Not Call List” would have us believe, prima facie, that a compelling argument for a similar requirement related to Internet privacy might be made.  Nevertheless, and with the benefit of several years’ experience in these matters, I suspect a more nuanced approach may be warranted, especially given the inherent complexity of the Internet.  As the Architects say, God resides in the details.

With this in mind, I intend, with the assistance of our witnesses today, to achieve a measure of understanding about the function and effects of “do not track” requirements.  Specifically, I will ask witnesses to offer their opinions about the following broad issues:

• What impact will privacy regulations, whether “do not track” or otherwise, have on the way consumers presently enjoy the Internet;   
• How will such requirements engender uniform consumer protections, especially given that a single user may access the Internet using many different devices; and
• Should industry be left to regulate itself with respect to data privacy, or is legislation required, and if so, what shape should such legislation take?

In closing, I note that no federal law comprehensively governs the collection, use, and dissemination of consumer information.  I urge my colleagues to adopt the view that if “do not track” requirements become necessary, their implementation should come at the direction of the Congress.

I thank the Chairman for his courtesy and yield the balance of my time.”

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