U.S. Chamber Launches Education Campaign

WASHINGTON, DC—The United States Chamber of Commerce, through its National Chamber Foundation, launched a drive to educate policymakers and business leaders on the issues surrounding Internet privacy through a series of conferences, beginning with a retreat for House Republicans May 19-20 at Landsdowne in Leesburg, Va.

"Clearly, the issue of privacy and security of personal information on and off the Internet is of growing concern to consumers and businesses," said Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue, who also serves as president of the National Chamber Foundation, the Chamber affiliate overseeing the education campaign. "As the Internet becomes more pervasive in our society, elected officials must fully understand the complexities that technology poses for policymakers, who are interested in protecting individuals without hindering businesses' ability to grow."

At the House GOP retreat, House Republicans will hear from leading high-tech companies on a broad range of consumer privacy issues, including access to one's personal information, the use of e-marketing incentives to obtain consumer data and the options individuals have to control the use of their personal information.

The privacy summit will be co-chaired by House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley (R-VA), House Commerce Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA), House Republican High-Tech Working Group Chairman and Congressional Internet Caucus Co-Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), and Rep. Robert Ehrlich (R-MD).

The National Chamber Foundation is working on a similar event for House Democrats. In addition, the Foundation is planning a symposium on consumer Internet issues for business leaders, to be held July 13 at the Chamber.

"In the case of Internet privacy, sound public policy also makes good business sense," said Donohue. "Businesses know that consumer confidence rides on a sense of security and trust that their private information is protected. If that trust erodes, consumers with the click of a button may change to another e-tailer or choose not to buy online at all."

The National Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, was founded to drive the policy debate on key issues by formulating arguments, developing options and influencing thinking in an effort to move the American business agenda forward. The Foundation serves policymakers and the business community by providing a forum where leaders can consider and advance new ideas that benefit American business.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

00-73