US online privacy law

Factual Questions
1

Is there Privacy legislation in the US regarding the kind of personal information that businesses can collect and the manner in which they collect and/or distribute it? I’d like to compare it with Aussie legislation.

Where might I be able to find details of such legislation?

Ta,
Shell

2

http://www.rbs2.com/privacy.htm

http://www.gilc.org/privacy/survey/

http://www.privacyrights.org/

Hope these help. I found it to be interesting reading. And a little scary. Is “Big Brother” the gov or corps?