The Obama administration last week announced a planto protect Internet users in the United States.The administration has proposed what it callsa Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.The bill is meant to give Americans more controlover their personal information.President Obama said last Thursday that"never has privacy been more important than today,in the age of Internet,the World Wide Web and smartphones."Under the Privacy Bill of Rights,Americans would have more controlover what personal data companies collectfrom them and how they use it.It also would require the companies to be more openabout their privacy and security policies.Darren Hayes is head of the Computer Information Systems Programat Pace University in New York.He says many countries in Europe and Asiaalready have online privacy laws in place.DARREN HAYES: "I think that, you know,this legislation is just, it's long overdue.I think that in its present form it looks very effectiveand I think that it is a step in the right directionand the average online user does need more transparencyand more control over the use of their information."Professor Hayes says the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rightsholds companies like Facebook and Googleto a higher level of responsibility.DARREN HAYES: "I think in practical termsit's going to make online companiesmore accountable for what they do.It also seeks to provide more transparency abouthow third parties are sharing their informationand give the user, hopefully, the abilityto opt out of having their information shared."The new measures are part of a larger government effortto improve online privacy.The administration has urged Congressto pass federal legislation in support of the measures.It also wants lawmakers to give the Federal Trade Commissionand State Attorneys Generals additional powersto enforce the measures.Professor Hayes says the effectiveness of the billwill depend strongly on that.DARREN HAYES: "What's also going to be importantabout this legislation are the penalties and finesthat will ultimately be imposed for non-compliance."Also last week, a group of Internet browser companiesagreed to support plans for adding "do-not-track" technologyto their web browsers.The group agreed not to use tracking informationto target personalized ads to userswho do not wish to be identified.The companies will, however, still collect the information.And that's the VOA Special English Technology Report,written by June Simms.For a link to our report on Google's new privacy policies,which are set to take effect on March first,go to 51voa.com.While there, you can also find transcripts,MP3s and podcasts of our reports.