FTC proposes a law to protect consumer privacy online

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Taking ownership of your information. That's what the Federal Trade Commission is hoping to help consumers do; as they propose the government adopt a law that will allow consumers to track their information.

The FTC is looking to create a centralized database where consumers can access the information shared by companies to third parties.

From shopping habits to your address, even your prescription history; no detail is too small when it comes to shared information.  But a new FTC report says consumers should have a say in how much information of theirs is shared.

“People know what I'm looking for when I haven't looked to them for information. It makes me a little uneasy because I know that kind of thing is going on,” said Nonni Kherdian of Florence.

Marketing experts at UMass Amherst say that your information can be accessed anytime you are on your mobile phone or logged on to the internet.  And protecting your privacy is just a click away.

“In the world of smart phones you have to be careful of what you are doing. So I would recommend if you sign up for an app, instead of just clicking the box really read who it might be shared with," said UMass marketing professor George Milne.  "I think you have to be very careful if you are using unsecured networks,” said Milne who told 22News, companies often times share their client’s information with advertising agencies; which in turn will be used to create a more targeted audience. 

But for those who belong to the Millennial generation like UMass Senior Josh Romaker, sharing information on the internet is part of a lifestyle and privacy practices are overlooked.

“You want the application at the end of the day. I mean it'd be pretty tough to read through it and then look for something you didn't like and say I maybe won't use that, if you want to use you are going to use it, which is probably bad for us in the long run,” said Romaker who, daily, uses applications on his smart phone.

Professor Milne told 22News there is already resistance to this law, in part from the marketing industry as they claim this type of centralized system can be a financial undertaking.