Obama to Appoint New Privacy Czar

A look at the week of November 15, 2010, in public advocacy for the IT channel 

This week, a leading Senate Democrat vowed to repeal the controversial 1099 reporting requirement.  The Obama Administration is preparing an active and sweeping approach to Internet privacy policy, including the creation of a new watchdog to oversee operations.  Although Congress is now back in session, passage of a cybersecurity bill remains unlikely.

Senator Vows to Repeal 1099 Filing Rule From Healthcare Law — Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a leading Senate Democrat, has vowed to introduce legislation to remove part of the new healthcare reform law that imposes onerous tax-filing requirements on small businesses.  According to The Hill, both sides of the aisle agree that a provision requiring businesses to report more purchases to the IRS will impose undue paperwork burdens on companies amid an economic downturn when they can least afford it.

Obama Will Appoint New Privacy Czar — The Obama Administration is preparing a stepped-up approach to policing Internet privacy that calls for new laws and the creation of a new position to oversee the effort.  The initiatives would mark a turning point in Internet policy, says The Wall Street Journal. Recent administrations typically have steered away from Internet regulations out of concern for stifling innovation, but the increasingly central role of personal information in the Internet economy has led to the need for government action and oversight.

Lame Duck Congress with No Cyber Bill in Sight — Although Congress is back in Washington, it is unlikely that lawmakers will enact significant cybersecurity legislation during the lame-duck session, says Govinfosecurity.com.  Government insiders assert there is a slim chance the House-approved Defense Department funding bill, which contains significant IT security provisions, may be adopted.  That said, this bill is currently mired in debate because it also includes a repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" law.