Online privacy has been the subject of intense debate over the last several months. Almost every internet juggernaut has had a privacy breach of some kind. Users are fed up, privacy advocates are outraged and the U.S. government is now poised to take action.

Rep. Bobby L. Rush, (D-IL) introduced a bill last Thursday that was originally drafted in the last congressional session. The main thrust of Rush’s bill is to regulate and implement standards on how personal data can be collected and used.

On Friday, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced the “Do Not Track Me Online Act of 2011.” This act would require the Federal Trade Commission to develop standards for web browsers.

More legislation on this issue is expected to be introduced. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) is reportedly working on an online privacy bill focused on social networks and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) is also expected to introduce his own bill soon.

For more information on the two bills check out a more in depth article by Social Times.