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The Federal Trade Commission and privacy enforcement authorities from 11 countries around the world recently launched the Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN), a new network that promotes information sharing and international assistance in enforcement of privacy laws.  Today the network unveiled GPEN’s public website, www.privacyenforcement.net. The new website is designed to promote public awareness of the network.

“To protect consumers’ privacy in today’s global economy, all of us who work in law enforcement around the world need to cooperate with each other,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz.  “We at the FTC are looking forward to working closely with our colleagues overseas to make this happen.”

International organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum have called for strengthening cooperation in privacy enforcement.  The OECD is providing website support to GPEN.

In addition to the FTC, network participants currently include privacy enforcement authorities from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, and United Kingdom.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.  To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).  The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  The FTC s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.

(world privacy NR)