INTRODUCTION OF THE "ELECTRONIC RIGHTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" OR "ERIGHTS" ACT

April 21, 1999

Mr. Leahy. Mr. President, concern over privacy is reaching an all time high. In 1978, 64 percent of Americans reported that they were "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" about threats to their personal privacy. By 1998, this number had skyrocketed. According to the Center for Social and Legal Research, 88 percent of Americans reported being "very" or "somewhat concerned" about threats to their personal privacy. We in Congress must take this concern seriously, and in this regard I look forward to examining the privacy issues confronting us in hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee.