Privacy

The World Wide Web is a network which offers services such as electronic commerce. However, this technology also allows other people, and some companies to gain access on personal information and thus violates consumer's right to privacy.

Privacy means different things to different people; one man's privacy is another's public information. Every time a user visits a Web site, he has to determine what his privacy is worth. If a user wants certain information, he will have to decide how much information he is willing to exchange. Most understand that trade off exists: a Web site at a future date and time might contact the user again or sell the user's information.[Teinowitz, 1998].

The majority of Web sites do not disclose what they are doing [in terms of collecting personal information]. Yet, they are selling information. Data gatherers should tell consumers what information they are collecting and how they intend to use it. Consumers should have meaningful choice with respect to the use and re-use of their personal information. [Green,1998].

How much information should companies be able to collect about your online surfing habits or personal preferences, for example, and how should they be permitted to use that information? As e-commerce moves into the mainstream, these questions will affect every one of us.[1]
The issue is a complex one, with privacy and security implications in matters of security, foreign relations, the economy, and individual rights. Yet policy decisions need to be made quickly. Current U.S. law restricts the export of strong encryption technology, frustrating American companies' attempts to keep up in a global marketplace.[2]

Useful links of information on Privacy

[Rodger, Willert] Study doubts pro-privacy strides. Zdnet e-business, Sept.7,1998 [On line]
http://www.zdnet.com/icom/e-business/1998/09/980925privacy/index.html[back to text]

[Rodger, Willert] FTC, Online merchants still battling over privacy. Zdnet e-business, July, 7, 1998 [On line] http://www.zdnet.com/icom/e-business/1998/09/980727merchants/index.html#top[back to text]

[Pressman, Aaron] U.S. gets its way on crypto controls, Competitiveness and privacy. Computing Dec, 3, 1998 [On line] http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2171700,00.html[back to text]

References

[Green, Heather] A little privacy, please. Business Week, March, 16, 1998. n3569.p.98[back to text]

[Teinowitz, Ira] On line privacy rules proposed to ease threat to e- commerce. Advertising Age, April, 27, 1998. v69., p3[back to text]

[1] White house news release. A framework for global e-commerce. Recommendations. http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/New/Commerce/summary-plain.html[back to text]

[2] Reuters. U.S. offers plan for meeting European privacy. Nov, 6, 1998. [On line] http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2161381,00.html#top[back to text]