If you’re looking for a reason why the Junkie Awards are quite a bit different from other awards and recognitions within the e-commerce industry, this month’s recipient provides a great example. True to the promise we made when we started the Junkies, we will consider any nomination that we believe is taking a part in improving and/or helping the world of online shopping—and that’s not just limited to retailers, shoppers, developers, trade groups and the like, as our June Junkie winner proves.
Those who read us regularly know that we’ve spent a lot of time covering the online sales tax legislation that has sprouted up in a few states across the country. We have no official position on the issue itself. However, we do feel that, if not handled correctly, it could turn into a situation much more complicated than simply tacking on a tax to every purchase made on the web.
North Carolina’s legislation and its subsequent legal action against Amazon (AMZN), in particular, shows just how dangerously far a state can go to carry out the compliance of an online sales tax. And for its’ strong opposition to the state’s efforts that border on a breach of consumer privacy, we’re giving the June 2010 Junkie to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in North Carolina.
As we initially reported on June 24, the state’s ACLU branch jumped into this fight when it filed court papers against the North Carolina Department of Revenue, arguing that the Department was overstepping its bounds by requiring sensitive and private customer information as part of its audit of Amazon.
The objections were filed on behalf of seven North Carolina residents who had purchased books or videos on topics that could be deemed controversial or outside the mainstream, exactly the kind of transactions that the ACLU believes should private from the prying eyes of government.
By requiring Amazon to submit customer information, including the specific details of purchases, the ACLU argues that the Department of Revenue is setting a dangerous precedent that could lead to additional snooping into consumers’ online shopping habits when those consumers have the right to keep their purchases private.
Fundamentally, the ACLU’s action comes down to calling out North Carolina for requesting information from retailers that it doesn’t really need to meet the end goal; information that should be protected for all American citizens. While the group doesn’t take a stance on the actual collection of online sales taxes, its inclusion into this fight in North Carolina loudly and clearly states that the group believes consumer privacy is being threatened.
While you may not always agree with the ACLU’s ideology on most issues, you’d be hard-pressed to deny that its efforts here are solid and that they’re working in the interest of anyone who expects their privacy to be protected. For standing up for North Carolina’s consumers, the ACLU is a more than worthy recipient of this month’s Junkie award.
As always, leave us your thoughts and comments below. And if you know of someone or have a company that you think is worthy of consideration for a Junkie, contact us through the email address on our homepage! We promise to carefully review every submission we get.
[...] June 2010: ACLU [...]
[...] June 2010: ACLU [...]