U.S. Commerce Department Considers New Privacy Watchdog Amid Concerns

News reports suggesting U.S. President Barack Obama's administration is planning to appoint a new privacy watchdog and push for new privacy laws met with mixed reaction Friday, with some critics questioning whether new laws are needed. The Wall Street Journal reported late Thursday that the U.S. Department of Commerce is preparing a report to outline its privacy policy goals, with a new position created to oversee privacy efforts.

While it's unclear what issues new regulations would address and what role a privacy watchdog would have, some observers cheered a new focus on privacy from the Obama administration.

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