Business, Privacy, and the Internet
Organizations do have a right to know who is using their products, to acertain extent. This "right" surely should not exceed what the localgrocery store can tell about its customers from observing them walking inthe store, selecting certain items, and then purchasing them. In otherwords, information should not be obtained without consumer consent. We all know that information gathered from Internet sites is sold. Infact, 9 out of 10 web sites collect personal data. (Surmacz) There is nodoubt that a personal rapport with consumers allows for a betterrelationship between the company and the customer. Among other things,this ensures that both parties are satisfied. The Federal Trade Commissionnotes that there are two ways in which companies retrieve information,which are procedural and substantive. Procedural principles let theconsumer know that information is being gathered whereas substantiveprinciples impose "substantive limitations" on the collection of data andhow that data is used. (FTC) In order for both parties to be satisfied,each business must inform each customer if
certain information is beinggathered and shared. (CARU) In many ways, these actions demonstrate a positivemove in the right direction to protect the privacy of children and theirfamilies. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 statesthat owners and operators of such site protect the information they havegathered. When consumers recognize businesses and Internet sites apply withregulations, they are more apt to give personal information freely. Surveys indicate that individuals would bemore apt to do business online if they were certain about their privacybeing protected. This clearly states that websites should notify consumers that information is being collected aboutthem and that the consumers can choose whether or not to provide suchinformation. To ensure proper safety procedures, the government should be in controlof consumer privacy issues. Another issue that is of concern is the privacy of children. The FairInformation Practice Principles declares that that it is deceptive tocollect data from a child for a particular purpose and then use it foranother purpose that the parents or to disclose personal information tothird parties. Whatadults enjoy about the Internet can be dangerous to children who are notaware of individuals who intend to hurt them. (FTC) Every set of theseprinciples includes consumer consent, which is a step in the rightdirection as far as privacy is concerned. In this day and age of corporate fraud, it isbetter to have an outside party regulate laws and prosecute cases (if needbe). Consumers must know their information is safe. This iscritical when individuals choose to do their banking online, as well as paybills and shop. Children must be taught bytheir parents what not to say when dealing with the Internet.
Common topics in this essay:
Practice Principles,
CARU's Guidelines,
Trade Commission,
,
Protection Act,
Review Unit's,
information gathered,
online privacy,
fair information,
personal information,
privacy protection,
Online Privacy,
Children's Online,
Fair Information,
Privacy Protection,
privacy protection act,
step direction,
web sites,
consumers information,
consumer consent,
information practice,
information practice principles,
children's online privacy,
online privacy protection,
fair information practice,
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Acceptance Essays
