 |
 |
| |
| Compiled by GayToday
Phoenix, Arizona--Openly gay State Representative Steve May (R-Phoenix) fired
a salvo in favor of privacy rights by announcing January 27 that he is
preparing to introduce legislation in the Arizona House of Representatives
that will ban the sale and manufacture of "processor serial numbers,"
which could threaten the individual privacy of millions of internet
visitors worldwide.
May took the controversial step in light of the announcement by the Intel Corporation that its new chip -- Pentium III -- would use PSN technology, which acts as a permanent and invisible "global user indentification number" that internet corporations, marketing firms and government agencies could use to secretly track individual internet activity. "Consumers deserve basic privacy rights -- even on the internet," May said. "This technology will launch a new era of information mining and allow anyone to build detailed profiles on individuals."
"It is a testament to Steve's vision and core values that he has taken such a strong stand in support of individual rights," said Richard Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans. "Privacy and individual rights are a core concern of the gay and lesbian community, and it is clearly something that many Americans from all walks of life share. Neither big government or big corporations should have a free hand in trampling our fundamental rights as individuals in society. I know that Steve will not waver on his principles, and in the end he will lead the way for a resolution of this matter that protects the public good." |
© 1997-99 BEI