The majority of Americans aged 30 and over suffer significant
ignorance of how personal information may be released online. It is important
to know, for example, that a person who clicks on a link and requests a
Web page is giving out a numeric code (known as an IP address) to identify
his or her computer to another computer (a server). There is no other way
for a server to know where to send information. There are many other examples
that are much more complex. As surely as the sun rises and sets, however,
our ignorance is on the wane. Younger, computer-literate generations already
laugh at older Americans’ ignorance and fear of how information moves online.
The key to protecting privacy is knowing how to protect
personal information. Participation in online culture is just like participation
in any culture. It comes with responsibilities. Individuals who are concerned
about their online privacy are obliged to learn how they share personal
information online, and to take actions to protect personal information
online. Businesses that collect personal information have a corresponding
obligation – if they want to succeed – to inform consumers about their
information practices and make sure that users are comfortable with them.
Businesses and consumers are in the process of developing cultural understandings
about how personal information shared online may be used. This is the only
way to have a diverse, robust online culture, where each consumer maintains
the level of privacy he or she wants and deserves.
Information does have value and, for people outside the
mainstream, there may be high costs for declining to participate in the
information economy. For example, someone who is uncomfortable sharing
his or her address or credit card number will not be able to enjoy the
convenience of shopping online. Individuals are entitled to make these
choices. As wonderful and exciting as the Internet is, not everyone
needs to use it to enjoy a fulfilling and entirely successful life.
Links:
The
Reinvention of Privacy, by Toby Lester, The Atlantic Montly (March, 2001)
Know
the Rules, Use the Tools: Privacy in the Digital Age: A Resource for
Internet Users Senator Orin G. Hatch, Chairman, Senate Judiciary
Committee.
Privacy
and Technology: Getting the Balance Right, Mass Insight Corporation
(September 2000)
Privacy and the Beauty of
Capitalism by Jason M. Thomas, Citizens for a Sound Economy (July 20, 2000)
Protecting
Privacy on the Internet by Jessica Melugin, Competitive Enterprise Institute (July 5, 2000)
Privacy: While Legislators
Debate, Others Innovate by Jason M. Thomas, Citizens for a Sound Economy (June 22, 2000)
Tips
and Tricks for Maintaining Your Privacy Online, by Charles Jennings and Lori Fena,
GigaLaw.com
Testimony Before
the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House
of Representatives, Jonathan Zuck, President, Association for Competitive Technology
(May 18, 2000)
The
Disappearing Problem of Online Privacy by Jessica Melugin, Competitive Enterprise
Institute (April 3, 2000)
Comments? comments@privacilla.org
(Subject: ProtectingPrivacy)
[updated 04/07/04]
