From EPIC:
Earlier this week, EPIC submitted comments to the DHS on “The Menlo Report: Ethical Principles Guiding Information and Communication Technology Research.” DHS sought public views on the privacy implications of ethical human subject research in information and communication technology research. EPIC said that many federal privacy laws, such as the Privacy Act of 1974, set out legal standard for how government agencies should protect personal data. EPIC strongly urged DHS to abide by federal privacy laws rather than adopt non-binding principles, which are not enforceable and provide few rights for individuals. For more information, see EPIC: Privacy and The Common Rule
Alice Lipowicz reports on the letter on Federal Computer Week.