Where the presidential candidates stand on the issue This roundup is based on interviews, published reports and position papers
PAT BUCHANAN, REFORM Buchanan has not focused on or issued a statement regarding this issue. “It is just not something [for which] there is any particular staff expertise or Mr. Buchanan has spoken about,” says Buchanan spokesman Scott McConnell.
GEORGE W. BUSH, REPUBLICAN Bush has not yet articulated a privacy policy per se, but in response to a variety of media requests has said one will be forthcoming by November. Bush does feel consumers have the right to believe that their personal information will remain private until they opt to relinquish that right. A self-described “privacy rights person,” Bush’s strongest stated position is his belief that the market can function without sacrificing the privacy of individuals. In published interviews, campaign technology policy adviser Tim Adams has said, “For the current period we believe industry self-regulation is the way to go, but we don’t rule out regulation in the future if industry fails to do a good job of policing itself.”
AL GORE, DEMOCRAT Gore is one of the primary proponents of the Electronic Bill of Rights to Protect Personal Privacy Online, an initiative that would allow consumers to choose whether personal information would be disclosed when they use the Internet and how that information would be used. They’d also have the opportunity to review such data for accuracy. In recent months Gore has moved away from the Clinton administration position of advocating self-regulation, especially for the medical and financial industries. Addressing these sectors, Gore has said , “If you don’t find a way to quickly regulate your own industry, we will take action.” Gore was also involved in supporting the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
JOHN HAGELIN, NATURAL LAW PARTY/INDEPENDENT PARTY COALITION Hagelin’s running mate is Nat Goldhaber, the former president and CEO of Cybergold Inc., an online rewards program. Goldhaber would prefer to see the industry set standards and establish self-regulation, being “fundamentally distrustful of the ability of government to execute well even the most well-meaning legislation.” He feels that DMers should only send messages to people who want to receive them.
RALPH NADER, GREEN PARTY Nader strongly believes in industry regulation through privacy standards that are enforceable by government “and by civil actions on the part of people whose privacy is invaded.” Testifying on the Financial Services Act of 1999 (H.R. 10), he advocated written opt-in as a minimum standard for data sharing, with each institution informing customers as to “what information is to be disclosed and when, and to whom, and for what purposes.” Nader also called for consumers to be given an opportunity to review the information to ensure its accuracy. H.R. 10, he said, “tilts heavily toward anointing the Federal Reserve System as regulatory czar. More power for the Federal Reserve is not the answer.”
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