Rep. Johnson Seeks Online Input on Net Legislation

Launches website to collect input on mobile app security

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/25/2012 11:56:41 AM

House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Hank Johnson is taking a crowd-sourcing approach to online privacy.

Johnson (D-Ga.), Wednesday said he had launched AppRights.us to solicit input on protecting the privacy and security of mobile devices.

"Congress has tried to shove Internet-related legislation down the public's throat, and we've failed," he said in announcing the site, a reference to the failed Stop Online Protection Act in the House and the Protect IP Act in the Senate.

Johnson cautioned against a top-down approach to Internet regulation, including cybersecurity and piracy -- the latter the focus of SOPA and PIPA -- as well as privacy.

"There's an emerging consensus that the law should protect Americans' rights when we share our data with apps and app developers," said Johnson in a statement. "How that law should be written is a question for the American people.  Let's have an open conversation about it."

Johnson launched the initiative on Reddit.