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General Knowledge

Know Your Rights

It’s important to know what laws you are protected by when it comes to digital privacy. Below is a list of legislation enacted by the United States government to protect individuals from online fraud and abuse.

  1. The Federal Trade Commission Act - 1914

    The Federal Trade Commision (FTC) is responsible for regulating unfair or deceptive commercial practices. They are the primary federal regulator in privacy and they enforce action against companies that violate their rules.

  2. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act - 1986

    This piece of legislation protects wire, oral, or electronic communication from unauthorized interception, access, use, or disclosure by any and all parties, including the government.

  3. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act - 1986

    Unauthorized access of personal or professional computers to obtain valuable information, transmit harmful items, or traffic computer passwords is illegal. This act has been amended six times since its creation.

  4. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act - 1998

    This law requires certain web and online service providers to obtain parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information about minors who are less than 13 years old. It also requires websites to publicly post their online privacy policy, collect only necessary information, and create and maintain reasonable security measures for their services.

  5. The Financial Services Modernization Act - 1999

    Also known as the GLBA Act, this law regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information that is collected or held by financial institutions. It requires them to notify customers of their policies and practices as well as provide a written information security program.

  6. Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Porn and Marketing Act - 2003

    Also known as the CAN-SPAM Act, this law prohibits the use of misleading header information or deceptive subject lines in email marketing. It requires senders to disclose information such as a valid opt-out mechanism and pursues criminal penalties for violations.

  7. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act - 2003

    This law requires financial institutions and creditors to maintain written identity theft prevention programs to protect customers from fraud.

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