OVERNIGHT TECH: Apple, Google set to testify on mobile privacy

The lineup: The first panel of witnesses features Jessica Rich, deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jamie Weistein from the Department of Justice. The second panel includes Google director of public policy Alan Davidson, Apple vice president of software technology Guy “Bud” Tribble and Center for Democracy and Technology’s Justin Brookman.

Sen. Al Franken’s (D-Minn.) office said the chairman believes consumers have a fundamental right to know when their data is being collected and to control how it is shared. The hearing is expected to focus on how federal privacy laws have failed to keep pace with current technology. Franken has shown a specific interest in mobile technology such as smartphones and tablets because they contain data on individuals’ locations and activities.

Rockefeller drops Do Not Track bill: Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller introduced the Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2011 Monday, which would task the FTC with creating a mechanism that allows consumers to opt out of having their online activities tracked by Web companies. The bill has drawn support from privacy advocates, who would like to see its main provisions tacked onto any consumer privacy bill that passes Congress.

Groups backing the bill
include the Consumers Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the
American Civil Liberties Union, which called the do-not-track list “a
barrier against unwarranted surveillance and targeting of Americans.” The legislation’s main provisions will likely be proposed as an amendment to the bipartisan Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights proposed by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) last month.

“There is broad agreement that consumers must have a clear and easy mechanism for opting out of online tracking,” said Software & Information Industry Association President Ken Wasch in a statement arguing in favor of the FTC’s current voluntary approach for industry. “Digital businesses are making significant strides toward a strong, voluntary, and enforceable privacy framework.”

“We cannot be stalked as we shop in brick-and-mortar stores. Yet whatever we do online is tracked, usually without our knowledge and consent,” said Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court. “The data may help target advertising, but can also be used to make assumptions about people in connection with employment, housing, insurance and financial services; for purposes of lawsuits against individuals; and for government surveillance.”

CEA stops by Washington’s Eastern Market: Member companies from the Consumer Electronics Association including Verizon, Motorola, Sony, Google and others will be showcasing technology at D.C.’s Eastern Market on Tuesday, one day before the group heads to the Hill for meetings and to present awards to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.).

T-Mobile USA hires Ogilvy to lobby on merger: T-Mobile USA has hired Ogilvy Government Relations to lobby on issues
related to the firm’s proposed $39 billion acquisition by AT&T. If approved, the transaction would leave AT&T and Verizon as the dominant wireless carriers, with
Sprint a distant third. Consumer advocacy groups and Sprint are
strongly opposed to the deal.

T-Mobile said Monday it lost a record number of subscribers in the
first quarter of 2011, and parent company Deutsche Telekom has indicated
it will not be make the necessary investments to make the firm
competitive with Verizon and AT&T. According to the announcement, Ogilvy
senior vice presidents Ryan Thompson and Mike Hogan will be the lead
lobbyists on the account.

ICYMI:

Demand drops for H-1B Visas.

The FCC is holding a cybersecurity roundtable next Monday.

Mozilla is resisting a Homeland Security request it remove the Mafiaafile add-on.

HBO has launched a mobile video service but Time Warner Cable and Cablevision are not on board yet.