In debates about privacy policy, many groups and privacy activists wear the mantle
of "protecting consumers." They mean well, and honestly believe
that they know what consumers want and need. Unfortunately, they do not.
Rather than letting consumers assert their preferences in the market-place, these groups
wish to substitute their own guesses, and the guesses of politicians and bureaucrats, about the levels of
privacy that are appropriate for consumers and citizens. This
fool's errand is doomed to harmful failure.
While Privacilla might appear to defend the interests of business, this
is not the case. Privacilla advocates for free and open markets. Such markets are very
difficult for businesses — and the best hope for consumers.
Markets pit businesses against one another in a contest to provide the
best goods and services on the terms consumers want. Markets are,
in fact, very dangerous for business. They minimize profits, require constant
innovation, and offer no safety net to businesses that fail to serve consumers.
Privacilla is pro-free-market, which is as pro-consumer as it is possible to be.
This perspective is pro-consumer and pro-business — as long as business serves its economic
masters in the consuming public.
Links:
Comments? comments@privacilla.org
(Subject: Pro-Business)
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[updated 04/18/02]
