Florida forms privacy task force

Recognizing the need for new privacy policies in the Internet Age, Florida

Gov. Jeb Bush has created a task force to make policy recommendations by

Feb. 1, 2001.

The Privacy and Technology Task Force, directed by the state legislature,

will tackle issues involving privacy, technology fraud, and the collection,

use and release of government-collected public records.

"The governor wanted to make sure personal privacy is not a casualty of

the digital revolution," said Reginald Brown, the governor's deputy general

counsel and the newly appointed task force chairman.

Brown said the task force will also look into possible contracts to address

any areas of concern that it finds.

Bush created the task force by executive order July 31 and appointed 17

people to serve on it. They include government employees, dot-com professionals,

lawyers, information technology professionals, nonprofit representatives

and a victim of identity theft.

Brown said the first meeting would be held Aug. 25, when the task force

will be given an overview of the issues. He anticipates that at least three

additional meetings will be held around the state to tackle specific issues.

The task force must be disbanded by July 1, 2001.