Bill Would Force Web Sites to Delete Personal Info

A bill introduced by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) would require operators of Web sites to delete information about the site's users unless the site had a "legitimate" need to preserve that data. Information covered by the bill includes names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and other data, and all Web sites would be subject to the legislation, including those operated by individuals and nonprofits. According to Markey, the Eliminate Warehousing of Consumer Internet Data Act of 2006 is intended to address two issues: identity theft and government subpoenas of Internet data from Web sites including Google and Yahoo.Markey said personal information about Internet users "should not be needlessly stored to await compromise by data thieves or fraudsters, or disclosure through judicial fishing expeditions."