• In response to a discussion draft of a new privacy bill drafted by Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., and Ranking Member Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., of the House Communications Subcommittee, ten privacy and consumer groups called for stronger measures to protect consumer privacy both online and off. Among other things, the group is calling for the incorporation of Fair Information Practice Principles into the bill, an expanded definition of “sensitive information,” and strict “opt-in” procedures for the collection and use of covered data. The organizations submitting the letter include the Consumer Federation of America, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Consumer Watchdog, World Privacy Forum, Consumer Action, USPIRG, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Privacy Times, Privacy Lives, and the Center for Digital Democracy. The letter is available here.
  • 23andMe, a company that allows consumers to get portions of their DNA genome tested and to test children for predisposition to diseases, recently announced that “a number of new 23andMe customer samples were incorrectly processed” by the third-party lab that 23andMe uses. Accordingly to the company, “up to 96? customers received DNA results that were not their own. 23andMe has indicated that it has now notified all affected customers about the issue.
  • The saga over Google’s collection of personal WiFi data as part of its Street View program continues, as police in New Zealand confirmed that they have launched an investigation into Google’s practices in that country, in response to a complaint from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Australia also launched its own criminal investigation. According to Robert McClelland, Australia’s attorney general, the inquiry will focus on whether the internet company has breached the Telecommunications Interceptions Act, which forbids gaining access to electronic communications other than for authorized purposes. Serious violations of Australia’s law are punishable by three years in prison.