U.S.GOVERNMENT LAGS BEHIND IN DIGITAL AGE

By D.E.Levine

Despite the rapid development and increased usage of communication networks, the U.S. government is woefully behind in establishing legislation for the digital age.

There are few standardized laws, standards or guidelines that provide a universally accepted way to conduct business. As a result, states attempt to write and implement their own laws and standards resulting in a hodgepodge of laws that apply only in certain areas and instances.

Because of this a multitude of problems have arisen. Data breaches in one state need to be addressed by laws governing the state where the information breached originated. For instance, if New York residents buy something online from a Colorado vendor and the vendor is breached, New York state data laws must be followed because the information on the customer is governed by those laws. If no laws exist applicable to that breach, NY state residents may never be notified concerning the breach, while Colorado customers would be governed and notified under Colorado law.

Consumers and vendors all want universal laws that are applicable to electronic activity in every state, in the same way.