Privacy on the Internet

        Privacy is something we're going to be hearing more and more about, with regard to Internet usage. Below is a June 9, 1997 press release, from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). EPIC is a non-profit, public interest research organization based in Washington, DC. - Ed.

        The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) today [June 9] released a major report on consumer privacy and the Internet. "Surfer Beware: Personal Privacy and the Internet" is based on a review of the privacy practices of top Internet Web sites. The report examines the current state of privacy policies on the Internet and includes recommendations to protect online privacy. The release of the report precedes a week of hearings, to be held by the Federal Trade Commission, on consumer privacy and the Internet. EPIC will be participating in those proceedings.

        EPIC reviewed 100 of the most frequently visited Web sites and checked whether sites collected personal information; had established privacy policies; made use of cookies; and allowed people to visit without disclosing their actual identity.

        The survey found that few Web sites today have explicit privacy policies (only 17 of the sample) and none of the top 100 Web sites meet basic standards for privacy protection. However, anonymity continues to play an important role in online privacy, with many sites allowing users to access Web services without disclosing personal data. EPIC recommends in its report that sites continue to support anonymity while developing policies and practices to protect information privacy.

        The report is available at http://www. epic.org/reports/surfer-beware.html.

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