NCL statement on the Location Privacy Protection Act of 2011 – National Consumers League

December 14, 2012

Contact: NCL Communications, Carol McKay, (412) 945-3242, carolm@nclnet.org

Washington, DC–The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League:

“The National Consumers League applauds today’s vote to report S.1223, the Location Privacy Protection Act of 2011, out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This action represents an important first step towards better protecting consumers’ sensitive geolocation data. These data are collected and used in a largely hidden marketplace over which consumers have little information and almost no control. The profileration of location tracking technology in smartphones and other devices and applications has made it clear that more needs to be done to protect this data from misuse. We strongly believe that it is in the public interest for consumers to be made aware of how their geolocation data will be used by companies.

Today’s vote shows that protection consumers’ location data is an issue with bipartisan appeal. We applaud the leadership of Senator Franken and the bill’s co-sponsors as well as the dedicated coalition of advocates from the consumer rights, privacy, and domestic violence prevention communities for this victory. We look forward to continuing to support this bill as it moves forward in Congress.”

###

About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit https://nclnet.org.