NEEDED: CONSUMER PERSONAL DATA BILL OF RIGHTS

There was talk of a “Voter Bill of Rights” after the 2004 election. Now the Associated Press has a piece on MSN Travel, “Passenger Bill of Rights Proposed.” Both excellent ideas, but I have an even better one. How about a “Consumer Personal Data Bill of Rights?” It could pave the way for individuals to control their names and private information, also paying them whenever it is sold. James Madison, proponent of a new U.S. government instead of fixing the old one, was a major contributor to the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. However, the Constitutional Convention of 1787 could not possibly have conceived of the advancements in technology that have brought us to the current identity crisis. I am putting something together on this, and would welcome input from readers. Also planned is another volley of e-mails and letters on the subject to Congressional leaders sympathetic to consumer issues.