I had a wonderful discussion about privacy in the US vis-a-vis privacy in the EU with Katherine Teitler (@katherinert15) in connection with her MIS Training Institute article Does the U.S. Need a Data Protection Authority?
As with most things, I do not propose to have all of the answers. In fact, in our hour or so conversation, I probably said, “I really do not know the answer” to more of Katherine’s deep and evocative questions more times than I was able to give an answer.
What I do know, however, is that if privacy is to be taken more seriously here in the US, it simply must start with the people and the only way it is going to start with the people is if we begin to intelligently discuss the issues without all of the emotion, hysteria, spin, and agenda-driven blinders. Instead, we must have the goal of being objective in our quest and finding what is true and right — especially when it does not fit within our preconceived agenda. This applies equally to all sides of the discussion.
Katherine’s article is a great starting point to begin thinking about and discussing these issues so go give it a read!
______________________
Shawn Tuma (@shawnetuma) is a business lawyer with an internationally recognized reputation in cybersecurity, computer fraud, and data privacy law. He is a Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Partner at Scheef & Stone, LLP, a full-service commercial law firm in Texas that represents businesses of all sizes throughout the United States and, through its Mackrell International network, around the world.
