Silicon Valley Tech Firms Quietly Oppose Internet Privacy Bill
SAN JOSE (CBS/AP) -- A newspaper is reporting that technology firms, banks and other companies are fighting a proposed Internet privacy law that would require companies to show consumers the personal data they've collected on them and how it's being used.
The San Jose Mercury News says the Right to Know Act, or AB 1291 -- would require companies to not only show consumers the information they've collected, but also who is using it.
Supporters say the bill would give consumers more information about the kind of data businesses are compiling on them, and whether they should opt out of sharing that information.
But a recent latter by 15 companies and trade groups is demanding that the measure's author -- Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach -- drop the bill.
The companies and trade groups say the bill would open up businesses to an avalanche of requests from individuals and to lawsuits.
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