Consumers are the Priority

The new net privacy approach pledged by the US government should be realized soon. In the last December, the US Commerce Department released proposals about data collection practices of companies. It proposed that the practices should be updated. The full amendment was expected to be finished this fall.

NTIA’s administrator Lawrence Strickling suggested a “consumer privacy bill of rights” to protect consumers’ privacy. It is important since customers have rights to get same privacy as the producers receive. Not to mention that if in online transaction consumers are obliged to mention their private data such as home address, phone numbers, and even their bank account number.

Unfortunately, not all of the producers keep the data confidential. Sometimes there are companies deceive their buyers with fantastic exaggerating ads but in the reality is not what it is promised. The companies may also leak the consumers’ private data. The carelessness unquestioningly inflicts the consumers. They may become target of hacking, stalking and even robbery.      

Weitzner agreed with Strickling’s view. "I think the government has a key role in articulating what consumer rights ought to be," he said. He implied that government has to have firm principle in order to make sure the consumers’ privacy safety.

The consumers ought to be careful while buying something, either online or not. They have to think over are the things are really needed, how the actual quality is, know exactly the shop they buy the things, and so on.
Good communication between producers and consumers also need to be established. The producers should assure that stuffs they sell are in great condition, do really exist, and relevant to the present condition. The company should have a kind of “shout box” to receive any comments, suggestions, or critics which come from the consumers.