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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TIA CONTACT: EILEEN BRAMLET, TIA, +1.703.907.7749, ebramlet@tiaonline.org
PR CONTACT: ASHLEY ROOK, RATIONAL 360, +1.202.429.4929, AshleyRook@Rational360.com

Telecommunications Industry Association Says NTIA Privacy Code Should Focus on Data Use, Not Collection Method

TIA Calls for ‘Technology-Neutral’ Codes of Conduct for Mobile Application Privacy

ARLINGTON, VA (July 12, 2012) - The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks,  delivered comments today at the first meeting of the NTIA’s  multi-stakeholder privacy process. In developing codes of conduct for mobile application privacy, TIA cautioned against deterring innovation by focusing on methods for collecting personal information rather than on how the information is used.

“The goal of these mobile privacy codes of conduct should be to protect consumers while ensuring that innovation isn’t inhibited,” said TIA President Grant Seiffert. “We need to empower consumers to apply their individual privacy preferences in a way that is technology-neutral. The focus should be on regulating how personal information is used, rather than how it is collected.”

“We caution against any regulation that treats networked consumer relationships, especially mobile apps, differently from brick and mortar services,” continued Seiffert. “Regulations based on obsolete distinctions about the method of collection, rather than the use of personal information being collected, will harm both the economy and consumers by discouraging the adoption of innovative and empowering technologies.”

Regarding privacy proposals, TIA believes that they should be measured against the following four tests:

• Are consumers empowered to apply their individual privacy preferences?
• Do privacy proposal requirements promote uniformity?
• Do privacy proposal requirements contain proportionate penalties?
• Are privacy proposal requirements technology-neutral?

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.

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