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As we all become increasingly reliant on social networking websites and new technologies to stay connected, it's important to remain cognizant of how private personal information and data is handled.

We willingly share personal information with companies for the convenience of using their products.

It simply isn't acceptable for the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon and others, which amass data by the terabyte, to say, 'Don't worry, your information's safe with us, as all sorts of rules protect you' - when all evidence suggests otherwise.

If you exchange information internationally, you must strengthen data protection. Those are two sides of the same coin.

Even the best data security systems can't protect private taxpayer information from entrepreneurial foreign businesses than can make huge profits selling U.S. taxpayer information.

But what I want to assure and reassure the public is we are concerned about your safety, your security, and your privacy. Let's work together in partnership to ensure that we can have the best way forward.

Businesses and users are going to use technology only if they can trust it.

I think that the default for collecting any kind of personal data should be opt-in consent.

Privacy and encryption work, but it's too easy to make a mistake that exposes you.

Privacy is not an option, and it shouldn't be the price we accept for just getting on the Internet.