A new site dedicated to improving online privacy launched today with a tool for filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, along with information about your privacy rights – or lack thereof.
The Center for Democracy and Technology, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group, launched the site. The CDT’s president, Leslie Harris, says Takebackyourprivacy.org is meant to mobilize and organize consumers to push for privacy controls and legislation.
A Privacy Complaint Tool bookmarklet that can be placed on your browser’s bookmarks toolbar allows for quickly filing a complaint with the FTC if you feel a site has violated your privacy. The complaint will first go to the CDT, which will gather and send them on to the FTC.
You’ll also find a link to e-mail your Congressional representatives, along with information on available tools and privacy news. According to Harris, that news will include coverage of Rep. Rick Boucher’s (D-VA) plan to introduce new federal privacy legislation.
2010 will be the “best shot we’ve had in eight to 10 years” at a baseline consumer privacy law, Harris says.