Momentum is building for national data privacy regulations. Even if Congress doesn’t enact legislation any time soon, online privacy and data security has already become a leading public relations issue.
Companies that violate privacy agreements or otherwise mishandle personal data may find themselves in a devastating PR crisis. And in today’s digital environment, almost all organizations collect personal data. Information technology and legal departments are at the forefront of corporate efforts to protect consumer data. It has also become critical for PR staff to gain expertise in data privacy since the issue directly affects corporate reputation and trust.
Stringent data collection laws may also eventually impact PR measurement. If laws restrict social media networks and other technology firms from collecting data, PR professionals may have less data to analyze.
Federal Privacy Act in the Works
If passed, the Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act drafted by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) would provide the first nation-wide online privacy regulation. The bill establishes strict standards for the collection, use, sharing, and protection of consumer data, and penalizes companies that fail to its standards. To enforce rules, it would establish a new bureau within the Federal Trade Commission. It also permits consumer lawsuits against violators.
“In the growing online world, consumers deserve two things: privacy rights and a strong law to enforce them,” Cantwell stated in a press release. “They should be like your Miranda rights—clear as a bell as to what they are and what constitutes a violation.”
Although other Democratic legislators support the bill, it will likely face skepticism from Republicans and fierce opposition from Silicon Valley tech giants.
Media attention and public concerns work in Cantwell’s favor. Surveys show that consumers want data protection measures, privacy policies they can easily understand and clear benefits for sharing personal information. Politicians are railing against large technology companies and other data collection outfits.
A Nationwide Patchwork of Privacy Rules
California enacted legislation that, effective, Jan. 1, 2020, grants consumers significant control of online data that companies collect. The law impacts companies nationwide, as it applies to all that do business in the state or collect data from California residents.
Cantwell’s bill would leave California’s law intact and let other states pass their own privacy rules. That raises the possibility of a patchwork of 50 different state regulations in addition to national standards and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. Bills are already moving through other state legislatures.
Compliance in one state doesn’t guarantee compliance in another. Legal experts recommend focusing on the most stringent first, then working back from there, in order to handle multiple regulations in different jurisdictions.
Recommendations for PR Pros
“Now, nearly every industry represents a technological venture in which consumer data serves as currency, either literally or figuratively,” warns Ben Billingsley, founder of Broadsheet Communications, in Forbes. “That means no matter which industry you serve, it’s incumbent upon you to understand the intricacies of consumer privacy legislation and company policies, as well as the general and specific risks that your clients face — and to be able to properly advise them.”
Billingsley offers more recommendations for PR pros:
- Understand what kind of data your clients – all of your clients — manage.
- Incorporate data and privacy risk assessments into onboarding and client check-in protocols.
- Fight for input into data collection and security policies in order to help shape policies.
Bottom Line: PR pros need to master new data collection regulations. Consumers are more sensitive about their personal data than ever, and legislators at the state and federal levels are passing online privacy laws. Those new rules will impact most organizations, as most major corporations and almost all PR agency clients collect consumer information online.
William J. Comcowich founded and served as CEO of CyberAlert LLC, the predecessor of Glean.info. He is currently serving as Interim CEO and member of the Board of Directors. Glean.info provides customized media monitoring, media measurement and analytics solutions across all types of traditional and social media.
