[ BUSINESS ]

Hastert pushes Net privacy standard U.S. House Speaker J. DennisHastert told a gathering of Internet technology executives in Chicagotoday that the industry should adopt strict privacy standards sogovernment doesn't have to do it. The Illinois Republican, speakingat the technology trade show Comdex Chicago, said privacy standardsare needed to protect consumers' financial and health information. Healso said he was "bullish when it comes to the technology economy. Ithink the technology sector is going to keep this economy strong. Youare our future." Hastert also said he supports extending a moratoriumon new Internet taxes. The moratorium is set to expire later …