Privacy Task Force Initiative - Anyone?

Online and data privacy issues have triggered the creation of a Privacy Task Force by Connecticut’s Attorney General. This development was announced last September 15th in response to the rapidly increasing number of internet privacy concerns and data breaches. According to the announcement, the task force’s main focus is on public education regarding data protection requirements.

The Attorney General’s office has recognized the need for an initiative that will directly address these two big issues. Internet and data privacy problems have been affecting consumers and the broad public interest in general. To date, there are at least a dozen ongoing investigations regarding security breaches. Most of these cases resulted in the loss of medical records of patients, insurance records or personal information of customers. There are also those that involve the collection of unauthorized personally identifiable information.

To boost the campaign to protect the privacy of consumers, the office has also asked the help of giant tech companies. While the investigations are ongoing, Google and Facebook have also committed to take part in consumer protection. To some extent, the willingness of these companies to participate in the campaign is gaining success.

On the part of the Task Force, it will take charge of all investigations regarding consumer privacy breaches that are being conducted by the office. It will also be responsible for educating the public and the business community. It will focus on protecting sensitive personal data and informing the affected individuals of the occurrence of data breaches.

The office also hopes to serve as a resource center where individuals and businesses can go to seek assistance. Particularly, those who need assistance either for protecting their own information or that of their customers can just contact the office. It also recognizes the fact that customers are really involved in a challenging and evolving technological environment, and they need assistance to cope with it.

The Task Force is composed of four attorneys who have expertise, interest and experience in data privacy issues. Somehow, this initiative will serve as a model for others to follow. Data protection programs cannot be left alone to the public. There has to be an expert group that will lead them into an awareness about the consequences of data breaches and how they can avoid such situations.

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