Online clarity

Anyone venturing into the Internet knows their online life is an open book. Forgive the mixed metaphor, but the knowledge virtually every keystroke is being monitored is both understood and wearing thin.

The Obama administration’s interest in online privacy is welcome and timely. New laws backed up with serious oversight and enforcement should boost user confidence they have some control over the personal information they send into the ether.

Laws that empower consumers with options and rights are desirable, but anyone surfing the Web could confidently bet their mother’s maiden name that change will be slow in coming.

The Obama administration is considering tougher rules and regulations that revive and empower the current watchdog role of the Federal Trade Commission. Incoming Republican committee leadership professes to like the idea of protecting consumers, but not enhancing enforcement powers.

Industry giants central to the discussion have organized themselves as the Digital Due Process coalition and, as CNET first reported last spring, released their own plans for privacy reforms. Coalition members include Google, eBay, Microsoft, AT&T, the ACLU and Americans for Tax Reform.

They argue significant protections already exist, the industry can do it better than regulators, and that true online privacy means pushing back on the government’s ability to evade protections and listen and watch as it sees fit.

Rules are desirable, and they work best when they are clearly defined and enforced. Those are fundamental operating guidelines for the administration.

— The Seattle Times