Big businesses band together in urging lawmakers to sell out your privacy

Twenty-two industry groups, representing thousands of U.S. businesses, sent a letter to Congress the other day calling on lawmakers to pass sweeping data-security rules. At first glance, that seems like a really good thing for consumers.

Upon closer inspection, however, the letter suggests these corporate heavyweights are aiming to sell out consumers by pushing for data-breach notification rules that are inconsistent and far weaker than what many states, including California, already require.

The tip-off is the presence of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, or RILA, among the letter's signatories.

In the past, retailers have seldom seen eye to eye