Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Releases Report: 'Online Advertising and Hidden Hazards to Consumer Security and Data Privacy'

Press Release

The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) today released a report titled "Online Advertising and Hidden Hazards to Consumer Security and Data Privacy" and will hold a hearing on the topic Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 9:30 a.m., in 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building. U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and John McCain (R-AZ), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, released the following statements:

"American consumers and the digital economy in general depend on a safe, secure Internet," said Senator John McCain. "We must understand the security and privacy hazards consumers face in online advertising and make sure standards and rules exist to ensure consumers do not have to be more tech savvy than cyber criminals to stay safe online."

"Simply displaying ads that consumers see as they browse the internet can trigger interactions with a chain of other companies, and each link in that chain is a potential weak point that can be used to invade privacy or inflict damage," said Senator Carl Levin.

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