Survey Shows Privacy on Web as Major Issue

A recent survey of 1,000 Americans by TRUSTe, an organization that oversees the privacy practices of member organizations, indicates that online privacy remains a dominant concern among web users, highlighting the need for some form of regulation to protect web users and their data. However, there is a disconnect in awareness; for example, only 15 percent of respondents read website privacy statements, and fewer than half frequently checked whether websites even had privacy statements. The survey also indicated that more than half of the respondents said that the government should be “wholly” or “very responsible” for protecting an individual’s online privacy.

The Commissioner of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reflecting the views of the respondents, has warned that if private industry groups do not sufficiently self-regulate to protect web users, the government may have to legislate more robust safeguards into effect, including a requirement that web sites disclose when behavioural advertising is used and that users’ prior consents be obtained. Consequently, some companies have taken the initiative to protect online privacy. For example, Yahoo has shortened the time period for retaining users’ search data, while Google allows users to see what information is gathered about them for advertising purposes.

For additional information, visit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/technology/internet/16privacy.html?_r=1

Volume VII

Survey Shows Privacy on Web as Major Issue