“We Need an Internet Bill of Rights,” Says Monica Eaton
The internet has revolutionized every aspect of our lives over the last 25 years. Digital connectivity brought us closer together, but it’s also presented new challenges. As online commerce and information sharing grows, so do the threats to our privacy and security.
Chargebacks911 COO Monica Eaton recognizes the importance of balancing the risks and rewards of our digital environment, laying out her proposal for an “Internet Bill of Rights” in a recent feature for Entrepreneur.
Monica’s Plan for Greater Privacy
“Over the past 20 years, I’ve seen Silicon Valley startups dramatically improve our lives and spur groundbreaking, jaw-dropping innovation -- but then again, I’ve also seen fraudsters, hackers and Big Brother entities brazenly exploit the gaps in our digital laws.
“The inescapable truth is, we cannot preserve the good things about the internet if all the bad things continue to go unchecked.”
Monica proposed a 10-point plan for her Internet Bill of Rights, including plenty of common-sense reforms and initiatives to protect consumers from fraud and intrusion. For example, Monica proposed that all consumers have the right to keep their browsing history private, and to only share that information after giving explicit permission to a third-party.
Many of the ideas involved in this proposal resemble the spirit of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation instituted earlier this year. However, the goal here is less to propose policy; instead, Monica points out the need for us to establish clear standards and to ensure that consumers have a guaranteed level of privacy in all matters.
“Tech isn’t inherently good or evil; it’s simply a tool,” as Monica explains. “Our job is to use it wisely and to be far more vigilant when it comes to our data, privacy and personal freedoms.”
