Google Argues Against Tough Data Consent Requirements; NTIA Posts Privacy Comments

(see 1811130058 and 1811090050). Always needing consent could “create a complex experience that diverts attention from the most important controls without corresponding benefits,” Google said. Federal privacy legislation should be applied across all industries that collect user data, whether online or offline, Amazon said. The company warned against a patchwork of privacy laws that “diverts significant resources from inventing new features that will delight customers.” Companies should conduct thorough risk assessments of data collection, Microsoft said. If risks to the user from collecting data outweigh potential benefits of processing the data, “processing should only be allowed to proceed with the individual’s informed consent, as provided through an experience that meets the GDPR requirements,” the company said. Congress should craft legislation that would set U.S. standards that supercede EU general data protection regulation standards limiting access to the Whois database (see 1810310008), MPAA told NTIA. Legislators should “ensure that certain basic WHOIS information remains publicly available, and that any information that the GDPR does require to be removed from public access still be available to third parties with legitimate interests through a reasonable, timely, and effective process,” it said. FTC comments to NTIA released Tuesday are encouraging for online platforms like Facebook and Google, Cowen analyst Paul Gallant said Wednesday. The agency’s comments seemed supportive of a flexible approach to data gathering and against any opt-in data consent requirements, he said.