Happy Valentine’s Day! In today’s Quick Hits, we don’t have any particularly romantic news, but we do have some reactions to Rep. Jackie Speier’s recently proposed “Do Not Track” privacy legislation. Check them out (alongside other privacy and reputation news) below.

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Woman Learns How Easily Her Information is Found Online

In an interesting report for ABC 15 in Arizona, one woman learned how easy it was for strangers to find information about her and her family online. Armed with the woman’s name, maiden name, and e-mail address, a high school junior was able to find significant amounts of information about the woman using only the Internet. A trained private investigator was able to find even more information, including important financial documents. The report is a good reminder of just how much data is out there on the Web, and that individuals should take proactive measures to protect their personal data online.

LA Times Talks “Do Not Track”

On Friday, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) sponsored an Internet privacy bill making unwanted online tracking a punishable offense. The “Do Not Track” bill is the first of its kind, and would significantly change the way businesses track and collect information about individuals. In this report, the Los Angeles Times discusses the legislation and offers a quote from privacy advocate and academic Ryan Calo, who says, “It really is a strong pro-consumer bill.”

WSJ Talks “Do Not Track”

On Friday, the Wall Street Journal also published an article discussing Rep. Speier’s “Do Not Track” legislation. The Wall Street Journal article talks about the various measures that Internet browser developers have taken to make “Do Not Track” a possibility. It also touches on some of the previous attempts at privacy legislation, as well as other possible privacy bills that may be coming in 2011.

Information Week Talks “Do Not Track”

In our last bit of relevant “Do Not Track” news, Information Week put up an article today discussing the legislation, citing a recent Consumer Watchdog poll that showed strong support for a privacy law. According to the Consumer Watchdog poll, 90% of respondents were in favor of creating more laws to protect the privacy of their personal information online.

When is it Okay to Laugh at Someone Online?

Is it ever okay to laugh at someone’s misfortune? On the Internet, you might assume the answer is yes. Consider some of the most popular viral memes in Internet history. From the Star Wars kid to the “Grape Lady,” most of the biggest viral videos on the Internet involve someone in pain or being severely embarrassed. But what about the people in the videos? Isn’t it a moral quandary to laugh when someone is suffering?

This article from the IndyStar discusses a recent video that is gaining viral steam. It shows a newscaster stumbling over her word as she appears to be having some kind of mental breakdown (or even stroke). At first, the author, Channing King, writes that his instinct was to laugh. But, the more he thought about the video, he realized laughing would be wrong, especially if the woman was severely injured. Realistically, though, how many people would think this through the same way King did? One percent? Less?