U.S senators debating legislation to protect consumer privacy

U. S Senators have increasing expressed their concern on over privacy issues online and new smartphone devices. Technology companies like Facebook, Google and Apple are repeatedly invited to hearings and debates to testify their stands on the matter.

Senators believe that the market for apps designed to run on smartphones must be regulated to avoid unauthorized data sharing. The US congress has been putting pressure on technology firms as well as app developers over how they collect, use and store customer information.

As smartphones "become more powerful, more personal information is being concentrated in one place. These devices are not really phones - they are miniature computers," said Senator Jay Rockefeller, during a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing on mobile privacy on Thursday in Washington.

He also said before the subcommittee hearing that the market for such devices is new and the users do not understand the privacy implications of the actions they take. Officials from Facebook, Google and Apple appeared before the panel Thursday to testify during the hearing.

Google’s director of public policy, Alan Davidson said that it collects user location data on Android powered devices if the user gives permission for the collection and use such information. Catherine Novelli, vice president of worldwide government affairs for Apple said the company doesn't knowingly collect any information on children under age 13.

Facebook Chief Technology Officer Bret Taylor said in testimony that Facebook has "robust privacy protections." If customers "lose trust in a service like Facebook, they will stop using it," he said.