newsroom | Center for Digital Democracy

Consumer, civil liberties, privacy groups call on FCC to protect public’s data rights on broadband networks

By: Staff | Mar 7 2016

On March 1, 2016, five large trade associations for broadband Internet service providers (“ISPs”) proposed a framework for the Federal Communication Commission’s (“FCC”) forthcoming rulemaking on broadband privacy. While it is encouraging that ISPs now appear willing to engage on this issue and to recognize the importance of FCC data security and data breach regulations, the proposed framework fails to provide consumers with the robust protections needed in light of ongoing ISP information collection practices.
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Privacy, Network Neutrality, Civil Rights and Consumer Groups call on FCC to Ensure Broadband Data Safeguards via Rule-making: Consumers need protections addressing Phone and Cable company monitoring of their data

By: Staff | Jan 20 2016

Broadband Privacy Letter to FCC: January 20, 2016
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USPIRG & CDD urge Regulatory Safeguards for Online Lending Industry

By: Jeff Chester | Sep 30 2015

The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) and the U.S Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) filed comments today in response to the Treasury Department’s request for information (RFI) on “Expanding Access to Credit through Online Marketplace Lending.” Specifically, the department sought public comment on (1) the various business models of and products offered by online marketplace lenders to small businesses and consumers; (2) the potential for online marketplace lending to expand access to credit to historically underserved market segments; and (3) how the financial regulatory framework sho
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CDD petitions FTC to release COPPA Safe Harbor reports to the public

By: Staff | Jul 14 2015

The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), through its counsel, requests the following documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, related to enforcement of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), 15 U.S.C. § 6501 et seq.:
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Privacy and Consumer Advocates Leave Administration’s “Multistakeholder” Negotiations on Facial Recognition

By: Jeff Chester | Jun 16 2015

Today, the groups participating in the Obama Administration’s so-called multi-stakeholder negotiations to develop a self-regulatory “code of conduct” on facial recognition and privacy sent a letter (attached) to the Commerce Department explaining why they would no longer participate in the process. As CDD has said from the start, the approach the Administration embraced to protect consumers’ rights to their personal information was flawed.
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CDD asks Court to Require FTC Make Public Information on “Safe Harbor” Programs for COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)

By: Staff | May 26 2015

The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), in its ongoing efforts to monitor the Federal Trade Commission’s enforcement of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), has filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia challenging the FTC’s refusal to release important COPPA documentation. The case involves seven “safe harbor” programs, such as KidSAFE and TRUSTe, approved by the FTC to handle website compliance with COPPA regulations.
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Watch "Looking Inside The Black Box Society"

By: Alyce Myatt | May 6 2015

Digital Data and Consumer Protection: Ensuring a Fair and Equitable Financial Marketplace.

Author and Professor Frank Pasquale discusses his new book "The Black Box Society," on the growing use of secret algorithms to categorize consumers.

A Project of US PIRG Education Fund & Center for Digital Democracy
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CDD urges Consumer Regulators at ICPEN 2015 to tackle Data Driven Digital Marketing

By: Alyce Myatt | Apr 22 2015

CDD's executive director Jeff Chester called on regulators representing dozens of nations to address the role that today's data collection complex plays in consumer transactions and services. Speaking at the 2015 annual meeting of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN), Chester said that in order to protect consumes today's regulatory agencies--such as the FTC--must understand how data issues are integrally a part of consumer services, including in the financial, health, and retail marketplace. A modified version of the presentation is attached, minus the vi
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Child and Consumer Advocates Urge Federal Trade Commission to Investigate and Bring Action Against Google for Excessive and Deceptive Advertising Directed at Children

By: Jeff Chester | Apr 7 2015

Washington, DC – Tuesday, April 7 – A coalition of prominent children’s and consumer advocacy groups filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today requesting an investigation of Google, charging the company with unfair and deceptive practices in connection with its new YouTube Kids app.
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Obama Administration Consumer Privacy Bill Fails to Protect Consumers, Gives Greater Control of our Information to Data Companies

By: Jeff Chester | Feb 27 2015

Three years ago, President Obama promised that his administration would deliver a “Privacy Bill of Rights” to protect American consumers.
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Consumer, civil liberties, privacy groups call on FCC to protect public’s data rights on broadband networks

Privacy, Network Neutrality, Civil Rights and Consumer Groups call on FCC to Ensure Broadband Data Safeguards via Rule-making: Consumers need protections addressing Phone and Cable company monitoring of their data

USPIRG & CDD urge Regulatory Safeguards for Online Lending Industry

CDD petitions FTC to release COPPA Safe Harbor reports to the public

Privacy and Consumer Advocates Leave Administration’s “Multistakeholder” Negotiations on Facial Recognition

CDD asks Court to Require FTC Make Public Information on “Safe Harbor” Programs for COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)

Watch "Looking Inside The Black Box Society"

CDD urges Consumer Regulators at ICPEN 2015 to tackle Data Driven Digital Marketing

Child and Consumer Advocates Urge Federal Trade Commission to Investigate and Bring Action Against Google for Excessive and Deceptive Advertising Directed at Children

Obama Administration Consumer Privacy Bill Fails to Protect Consumers, Gives Greater Control of our Information to Data Companies

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