Most of the questions directed at CEO of Facebook mark Zuckerberg during the second day of hearings in the Congress was of a high standard. But one of the most important and became one of the most basic: who gets to decide what privacy?
Zuckerberg appeared Wednesday before the Committee on energy and Commerce of the chamber during the second day of hearings to resolve issues with Facebook and privacy in connection with the unfolding scandal of the Cambridge analyst. During the hearings, Rep. Peter Welch (d-VT) asked Zuckerberg a crucial issue of privacy: who is responsible for the definition of what is confidential in accordance with the laws of the United States?
“Who gets the last word?” Welch asked. “This is a private market, companies , like yours, or is there a public function here that defines what privacy?“
The issue came to Welch as part of a series of Yes/no queries that teased framework by which Facebook can be regulated by legislators.
“You believe,” Welch asked, “that the Federal Trade Commission or other properly-funded public institution with legislative powers should be able to determine on a regular basis, what is personal information in order to provide certainty for consumers and companies of what information needs protection the most tightly?“
In other words: does the government need a great role in determining what “personal information” is?
Embedded in that question was an allusion to the recent actions of the European Union adopted in Facebook and other major technology companies, more stringent privacy standards. The new laws require these companies to give users more control over their privacy settings, along with a clearer access to these settings. Some experts consider the new law as setting a “global standard” on how privacy is defined and to engage, and Facebook recently announced that it is voluntarily to apply the changes it’s making to European users to all other users as well.
The answer Zuckerberg, as a rule, are not solved, even if it was generally positive: “I think this is an area where the law has meaning,” he said. “You proposed a very specific thing, and I think that details matter.”
Welch continued to expand the question: “will you work with this Committee to help us put in place our own privacy policy that the priority of consumers ‘ rights to privacy? Just as the EU did.”
“Congressman, Yes,” Zuckerberg said.
The transcript of the full exchange follows.
Resp. Peter Welch (d-VT): in an effort to move forward, Mr. Zuckerberg, I have formulated some questions that I hope will allow a reasonable Yes or no answer to see if there are any contact points to achieve the goal you claim you have, and we are obligated to protect the privacy of American consumers. First, do you believe that consumers have the right to know and control what personal company and collect data from them?
Mark Zuckerberg: Yes.
Resp. Welch: do you believe that consumers have the right to control how and with whom their personal information will be disclosed to third parties?
Zuckerberg: Congressman, Yes, of course.
Resp. Welch: and do you believe that consumers are entitled to safe and responsible use of their personal data?
Zuckerberg: Yes, Congressman.
Resp. Welch: and do you believe that consumers should have the ability to easily set limits on the personal data that companies collect and retain?
Zuckerberg: Congressman, it seems a reasonable principle to me.
Resp. Welch: and do you believe that consumers should be able to correct or remove inaccurate personal data that the company received?
Zuckerberg: Congressman, what could be more interesting for discussion.
Resp. Welch: Well, then come back to us specifically. I think they have that right. Do you believe that consumers should have the ability their information is immediately removed from Facebook when they stop using the service?
Zuckerberg: Yes, Congressman, and they have this ability.
Resp. Welch: it’s good. And you believe that the Federal Trade Commission or other properly-funded public institution with legislative powers should be able to determine on a regular basis, what is personal information in order to provide certainty for consumers and companies of what information should be as secure?
Zuckerberg: Congressman, I certainly think this is an area where we need to discuss some kind of mistake.
Resp. Welch: there is no big discussion. Who gets the last word? This is a private market, companies , like yours, or is the state function that defines what privacy?
Zuckerberg: Congressman, I think this is an area where the law does not make sense. You proposed a very specific thing, and I think the important parts.
Resp. Welch: all right. Let me ask you this. You will work with this Committee to help us put in place our own privacy policy that the priority of consumers ‘ rights to privacy? Just as the EU did.
Zuckerberg: Congressman, Yes. I make sure we work with You to flesh out.
Resp. Welch: all right. And you pointed out, Facebook is not always protects the privacy of its users throughout the company’s history. But I think from your responses that consumers — do you agree that consumers have a fundamental right to privacy that gives them the ability to control the collection, use, sharing their personal information online. And, Mr. Chairman, and thank you.
Sourse: vox.com
