11. Implement as law the provision that no entity doing business online in California or with California residents shall sell or otherwise use any personal data collected without the express, prior, digital certificate-authorized permission of the person providing the information
The breadth of these proposals illustrate how using the Internet can provide individuals with greater and more direct access to decision makers. The provisions, that constitute more of a program of action than an enumeration of new citizen rights, are an attempt to get a more serious discussion of using technology to move ideas rather than the physical delivery of people and paper.
Networks vs roads
In an e-mail response to questions, Strassman said, "The two main alternatives for moving things around these days are roads and networks. In order to encourage more information, transactions, experiences, encounters, meetings, and pure data to be transferred over networks using electrons and photons, instead of over roads using atoms, gasoline, metal and plastic."
One of the basic enabling technologies, and the first item on Strassman's list, is the Smart ID card, which would be used for Internet-based voting and signing voter initiatives, citizen-generated referendums that appear on election ballots. This card, containing digital signatures, would in Strassman's vision replace the host of identification and credit cards filling up Californians' wallets. "I should be able to use an ID card as a general purpose credit card, medical provider/insurance card, employee ID, cash card, driver's license, charitable contributor, frequent flyer member, etc.," says Strassman.
The proposal to treat high speed Internet (broadband) networks as public utilities, like electrical power or city water supplies, would significantly change the telecommunications landscape. Like the digital ID card, ubiquitous broadband connections would be a powerful enabling technology, giving families a greater ability to interact with public agencies than is possible through dial-up lines.
Where's the security?
But having these powerful technical enablers at one's disposal, would also require a good deal more security and protection of privacy than currently available to individuals. While Strassman says he would require explicit and high security standards, their lack of mention in the proposals seems like a gaping omission.
