Well, it may have been a tad late, but on January 31, the Senate passed a resolution (S.RES.35) expressing support for the designation of January 28, 2011 as National Data Privacy Day.
The bill was sponsored by Sen Rockefeller and co-sponsored by Senators Boxer, Feinstein, Hutchison, Kerry, Leahy, Pryor, Snowe, and Wicker. The text of the resolution:
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of January 28, 2011 as National Data Privacy Day.
Whereas the protection of the privacy of personal information is a global imperative for governments, commerce, civil society, and individuals;
Whereas new and innovative technologies enhance our lives by increasing our abilities to communicate, learn, share, and produce, and every effort should be made to continue both the development and the widespread use of such technologies;
Whereas the use of numerous technologies in our everyday lives and in our work gives rise to the potential compromise of personal data privacy if appropriate care is not taken, by individuals, government, and businesses, to protect personal information;
Whereas many individuals are unaware of the risks to privacy posed by new technologies, of data protection and privacy laws generally, and of specific steps that they can take to help protect the privacy of personal information;
Whereas a continuing examination and understanding of the ways in which personal information is collected, used, stored, shared and managed in an increasingly networked world will contribute to the protection of personal privacy;
Whereas National Data Privacy Day constitutes an international collaboration and a nationwide and statewide effort to raise awareness about data privacy and promote education about the protection of personal information;
Whereas government officials from the United States, Canada, and Europe, privacy professionals, academic communities, legal scholars, representatives of businesses and nonprofit organizations, and others with an interest in data privacy issues are working together on this date to further the discussion about data privacy and protection;
Whereas privacy and security professionals and educators are being encouraged to take the time to discuss data privacy and security issues with teens and young adults in schools and Universities across the country, and parents are being encouraged to discuss data privacy issues with their children;
Whereas the Federal Government has a demonstrated interest in promoting privacy and security education in schools;
Whereas the third annual Congressional recognition of National Data Privacy Day will encourage more people nationwide to be aware of data privacy concerns and to take steps to protect their personal information; and
Whereas January 28, 2011, would be an appropriate day to designate as National Data Privacy Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate–
(1) supports the designation of a National Data Privacy Day;
(2) encourages State and local governments to observe the day with appropriate activities that promote awareness of data privacy;
(3) encourages educators and privacy professionals to discuss data privacy and security issues with teens in high schools across the United States;
(4) encourages corporations to take steps to protect the privacy and security of the personal information of their clients and consumers; to design privacy into products they create where possible; and to promote trust in technologies; and
(5) encourages individuals across the Nation to be aware of data privacy concerns and to take steps to protect their personal information.
Thanks to DataPrivacyDay2011.org for working with Senator Rockefeller to get Data Privacy Day recognized, and thanks to Senator Rockefeller and the co-sponsors for their support.