• On MovieTome: See the TRAILER for TERMINATOR 4!

April 3, 2006 1:38 PM PDT

Nationwide data breach bill clears a hurdle

The Data Accountability and Trust Act (DATA) was approved by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee last week and could soon be cleared by the House of Representatives. The bill, if passed, would mean all companies have to inform customers of security breaches that affect their personal data.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, ID theft cost American consumers $5 billion and businesses $48 billion last year. The bill would allow the FTC to enforce standards on keeping data, and make companies appoint a head of security who would produce best practice and audits up to five years after an event. Under the proposals, if a breach does occur, a company must notify any customers concerned and also tell the FTC, which can then demand an audit.

Dan Ilett of Silicon.com reported from London.

See more CNET content tagged:
audit, bill, security

Add a Comment (Log in or register) 1 comment
Powered by Jive Software
advertisement

Latest tech news headlines

Resource center from CNET News sponsors
You Need The Speed of Norton 2009
Introducing Norton Internet Security™2009

Click Here!
With one-click, one-minute install, under 8MB of memory usage and fewer, shorter scans, it's the fastest security suite anywhere. Norton. Smart Security, Engineered for Speed. Get a FREE trial today!

Click Here!
The Fastest Security Suite Anywhere

Experience the revolutionary Norton Internet Security™ 2009. With Norton™ Insight, a new feature, you get precision security that targets only at risk files for fewer, faster, shorter scans

Win a Trip to Space!*

Enter the Blast Off with Norton Sweepstakes for your shot at a trip to space. You could experience being fast and weightless, just like the new Norton 2009. *No purchase necessary; click for full details.

FREE Trial!

Act now to get your FREE trial of Norton Internet Security 2009. Try it for the protection. Love it for the speed

Norton Safe Web NEW!

A community-based system that rates web site safety

Norton Labs NEW!

Users can download new security technologies and share input directly with developers. Help us shape our future products!

RSS Feeds

Add headlines from CNET News to your homepage or feedreader.

More feeds available in our RSS feed index.

advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right