Report Card Gives Obama Administration Mixed Reviews on Privacy and Security

Created by Rodney J. Petersen (EDUCAUSE) on September 22, 2009

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) released its Privacy Report Card for the Obama Administration with the following results:

Consumer Privacy: Incomplete
Medical Privacy: A-
Civil Liberties: C+
Cybersecurity: B

EPIC's grades were based on a review of the Administration's privacy initiatives. EPIC cited the vacancies on the Federal Trade Commission, the continuation of the Bush Administration's policies on the use of the "state's secrets privilege," the Department of Homeland Security's support for PASS ID, and privacy exemptions for social networking services as areas where the Administration has failed to protect privacy.

According to the report card:

The President's commitment to safeguard privacy and network communications in the difficult area of cybersecurity is commendable. But a battle looms over efforts by Congress to extend the government's control of the Internet. The President should have named a point person on cybersecurity to represent his views in that coming debate.

A press release that accompanied the release of the report card is also available.

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		Report Card Gives Obama Administration Mixed Reviews on Privacy and Security Created by Rodney J. Petersen (EDUCAUSE) on September 22, 2009 The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) released its Privacy Report Card for the Obama Administration with the following results: Consumer Privacy: Incomplete Medical Privacy: A- Civil Liberties: C+ Cybersecurity: B EPIC's grades were based on a review of the Administration's privacy initiatives. EPIC cited the vacancies on the Federal Trade Commission, the continuation of the Bush Administration's policies on the use of the "state's secrets privilege," the Department of Homeland Security's support for PASS ID, and privacy exemptions for social networking services as areas where the Administration has failed to protect privacy. According to the report card: The President's commitment to safeguard privacy and network communications in the difficult area of cybersecurity is commendable. But a battle looms over efforts by Congress to extend the government's control of the Internet. The President should have named a point person on cybersecurity to represent his views in that coming debate. A press release that accompanied the release of the report card is also available. Washington Update \| civil liberties \| Cybersecurity \| Cybersecurity Policy \| Federal Privacy Law \| health IT \| Privacy Rodney's blog Login or register to post comments 15 reads
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