Privacy in the Digital Age
Q&A: Privacy Can Be Elusive In the World of E-Mail
By J. D. BIERSDORFER
(
July 27
)
How safe and private is e-mail? I keep seeing advertisements for e-mail security programs and wonder if this type of software is really necessary for the average user.
New Group Focuses on Web Privacy
By MATT RICHTEL
(
July 26
)
Richard M. Smith, a software engineer who tracks how personal data is gathered on the Internet, will join forces with researchers at the Privacy Center, a new group that investigates privacy concerns.
F.T.C. Close to Profiling Agreement
By REUTERS
(
July 26
)
The Federal Trade Commission may act very soon to endorse a privacy agreement negotiated with industry to protect Web surfers.
Congress Probes F.B.I. Snooping Device
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
July 25
)
Lawmakers of both parties grilled FBI officials Monday over the bureau's use of "Carnivore," a device designed to monitor and capture e-mail messages in a criminal investigation.
Public Contradictory on Net Privacy
By TIM RACE
(
July 24
)
Online, it seems, privacy is in the eye of the beholder. That's why the public debate over electronic privacy can get so confusing. Whose privacy? Protected from whom?
Learning to Live With Big Brother
By STEPHEN LABATON
(
July 23
)
Over the last couple of weeks it has been widely reported that the F.B.I. is now using a computer program called Carnivore, which can troll through millions of e-mail messages and hone in on the electronic correspondence of suspects.
Toysmart.com in Settlement With F.T.C.
By MATT RICHTEL
(
July 22
)
Over the continued objections of privacy advocates and attorneys general of 39 states, the Federal Trade Commission announced that it had reached a settlement to permit Toysmart.com, a defunct online toy seller, to sell its customer database as part of its bankruptcy plan.
Beefing Up Privacy Initiatives
By CNET NEWS.COM
(
July 22
)
Trying to quell concern over online profiling, several major Internet companies are stepping up efforts to give surfers more information about their privacy online.
Debate Over Microsoft Cookie Policy
By REUTERS
(
July 22
)
A Microsoft critic said the firm's decision to give consumers control over "cookies" is a ruse, but some privacy advocates applauded the move.
Privacy Software From Microsoft
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
July 21
)
After years of criticism by privacy advocates for its inaction, Microsoft will introduce new software that lets users know when online marketers are taking a peek at their personal information.
Online Stalwarts Beef Up Privacy
By CNET NEWS.COM
(
July 21
)
Trying to quell concern over online profiling, several major Internet players are stepping up efforts to give Net surfers more notice about their privacy online.
Microsoft Outlook Vulnerable to Attacks
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
July 20
)
Researchers have discovered a new way to include malicious code inside Microsoft Outlook e-mail that could make it possible for an outsider to control another person's computer.
Britian May Freely Decode E-Mail
By SARAH LYALL
(
July 19
)
The British government is about to enact a law that would give the authorities here broad powers to intercept and decode e-mail messages and other communications between companies, organizations and individuals.
Net Surveillance Rules Sought
By STEPHEN LABATON with MATT RICHTEL
(
July 18
)
The White House said that it would propose legislation to set legal requirements for surveillance in cyberspace by law enforcement authorities similar in some ways to those for telephone wiretaps.
Cloak, Dagger, Echelon
By TOM ZELLER
(
July 16
)
Groups from the American Civil Liberties Union to the French government are up in arms over Echelon, a surveillance cooperative that grew out of an agreement between Britain and the United States to share intelligence data.
Search Engine Retrieves Private Files
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
July 15
)
An Internet service that searches for digital music and video files also can be used to access unsecured multimedia files on some personal computers.
E.U. Official Endorses Data Deal
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
July 14
)
Brushing aside privacy concerns raised by the European Parliament, a senior European Union official signaled there was no need to amend a trans-Atlantic data protection agreement.
'Wiretapping' Review Under Way
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
July 14
)
Attorney General Janet Reno said she is looking into the FBI's new high-tech "Carnivore" system for e-mail monitoring to ensure that privacy safeguards are met as well as the needs of federal law enforcement officials.
U.S. Sues Toysmart.com Over Data
By MATT RICHTEL
(
July 11
)
The Federal Trade Commission sued to prevent Toysmart.com, a bankrupt Internet toy retailer, from selling its database of customer information.
E-COMMERCE REPORT
Giving Consumers Access to Personal Data
By BOB TEDESCHI
(
July 3
)
One online privacy principle has received scant air time recently: giving consumers access to the data collected on them. Still, recent steps within the industry suggest that some companies are heeding the call for access.
Privacy Lax at Failed Dot-Coms
By CNET NEWS.COM
(
July 1
)
Some failed dot-coms are releasing information their customers may have thought would remain under lock and key as they scramble to sell assets to appease creditors.
Privacy Advocates Condemn Site
By JERI CLAUSING
(
June 23
)
Privacy advocates asked Congress to investigate the use of Internet tracking technologies by a White House Web site, saying the use of so-called cookies by the Office of National Drug Control Policy violated White House policy and may have been illegal.
Directives Issued on Net Privacy
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
June 23
)
The Clinton administration's budget office issued strict new rules for how government agencies use software to track Internet users and ordered all departments to immediately review their compliance with existing privacy policies.
Snooping Software Goes Mainstream
By PETER H. LEWIS
(
June 22
)
Inexpensive spying programs, designed to catch naughty
children, seem to be catching more cheating spouses.
New Standard for Net Privacy
By JERI CLAUSING
(
June 22
)
Major Internet companies and the Web's standard-setting body introduced long-awaited technology that would alert computer users before they visited Web sites that collect more personal information than they are willing to share. The new standard was denounced by some privacy advocates.
Drug Office Ends Web Tracking
By MARC LACEY
(
June 22
)
The White House conceded that it might have violated federal
privacy guidelines, and it ordered its Office of National Drug
Control Policy to stop using a software device that tracks
computer users who view the government's antidrug advertisements
on the Internet.
Lawmakers Condemn White House Drug Policy Office for Internet Tracking
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
June 22
)
Republican lawmakers denounced the White House's drug policy office Thursday for using software to track computer users viewing its anti-drug advertising, a practice contrary to the Clinton administration's own privacy guidelines.
Another Industry Group Tackles Online Privacy Problem
(
June 20
)
As policy makers and regulators step up their scrutiny of
invasive Internet privacy practices, a coalition of
high-tech executives and advertising and marketing groups launched yet another effort to try fixing some of the
problems on their own. Also: New privacy technology to be
unveiled; Online crime summit and training sessions held.
Federal Web Site Privacy Assailed
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
June 17, 2000
)
Republican lawmakers are urging the government to lead by example
on Internet privacy by ensuring that federal Web sites comply
with the same standards that regulators want companies to
follow.
Web Sites That Help Keep You Private
By CATHERINE COLLINS
(
June 7, 2000
)
While Congress prepares to debate Internet privacy legislation not likely to pass into law any time soon, there are many steps that consumers can take to protect themselves in the meantime.
CYBER LAW JOURNAL
John Doe Starts Slugging
By CARL S. KAPLAN
(
June 2, 2000
)
John Doe is finally fighting back. Defendants named
John Doe have become popular punching bags in the Internet
world. The name appears in lawsuits as a kind of place holder
when the true identity of a defendant is not yet
known.
• European Union Approves Data Privacy Accord
FTC Chairman Will Accept Gradual Moves on Net Privacy
By JERI CLAUSING
(
May 26, 2000
)
The head of the Federal Trade Commission, which is seeking new authority to regulate the privacy practices of Internet businesses, told Congress that he would support a scaled-back version of the commission's proposal if it would help start the process of setting basic consumer protections online.
Split on Internet Privacy
By STEPHEN LABATON
(
May 23, 2000
)
Clinton administration officials threw cold water on a proposal by the Federal Trade Commission for legislation to protect consumer privacy on the Internet.
NEWS ANALYSIS
Fate Unclear for F.T.C.īs Privacy Push
By JERI CLAUSING
(
May 22, 2000
)
The Federal Trade Commission plans to go to Congress this week to seek tough new privacy rules for Internet businesses, but the group is likely to meet skepticism about the government's ability to regulate without stifling innovation.
Law Sought to Bolster Internet Privacy
By STEPHEN LABATON
(
May 20, 2000
)
Concluding that companies on the Internet have not properly protected the privacy of consumers, the Federal Trade Commission has decided to ask Congress for authority to impose tough consumer privacy safeguards, government officials said.
Secrecy for Everyone, as Encryption Goes to Market
By LISA GUERNSEY
(
May 18, 2000
)
Just five years ago, it seemed like a programmer's dream to think of making big money from cryptography. Today, abbreviations like V.C. and I.P.O. are becoming a big part of the language of secrecy.
CAPITAL DISPATCH
Tough Choice on Privacy Regulation
By JERI CLAUSING
(
May 16, 2000
)
The Federal Trade Commission faces one of its toughest tasks in its role as Internet policy advisor this week as it tries to decide whether or not to abandon its four-year-old stand against regulating the practices of companies that collect personal data online.
Uncertainty on Online Privacy Law
By KAREN J. BANNAN
(
May 12, 2000
)
It has been more than three weeks since the federal Child Online Privacy Protection Act went into effect, yet many parents are still in the dark about the legislation.
Intel Responds to Privacy Advocates
By CNET NEWS.COM
(
April 29, 2000
)
In the final chapter of a public relations fiasco, Intel Corp. will phase out its practice of giving processors digital serial numbers that can identify computers over the Internet.
Efforts to Keep the Web From Getting Too Personal
By CATHERINE GREENMAN
(
April 27, 2000
)
Shopping online or visiting a Web site that requires registration usually means surrendering some privacy. Some Internet users bristle at the notion that Web sites gather such data, and some couldn't care less.
Future Hollywood: Personal Networks and Little Privacy
By BONNIE ROTHMAN MORRIS
(
April 20, 2000
)
At a panel discussion on what the entertainment industry will be like in 2010, participants were giddy with the prospect of people tuning in via the Internet, contributing to content and giving up privacy to marketers.
CAPITAL DISPATCH
New Privacy Law Forcing Changes to Children's Sites
By JERI CLAUSING
(
April 18, 2000
)
The first federal law governing privacy in cyberspace is soon to take effect, and Web sites will be required to start getting parental permission before requesting personal information from children under 13.
Survey Shows Few Trust Promises on Online Privacy
By STEVE LOHR
(
April 17, 2000
)
According to a new survey, 82 percent of online households agree strongly or at least somewhat with the statement, "The government needs to step in and regulate how companies can use personal information."
Microsoft Announces Internet Tools to Control Web Privacy
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(
April 7, 2000
)
Microsoft promised free Internet tools Thursday based on emerging privacy standards for controlling how much information Web users reveal.
Some Countries Seek Keys to Digital Code-Scramblers
By JERI CLAUSING
(
April 3, 2000
)
Though governments around the world are relaxing their controls on cyptographic technology, that trend is coupled with attempts by law enforcement authorities to gain new surveillance powers.
Web Privacy Group to Offer a Seal of Approval
By LAURIE J. FLYNN
(
April 3, 2000
)
An assortment of 26 Internet companies involved in advertising will soon announce yet another organization to tackle the prickly issue of consumer privacy on the Web.
Yet More Privacy Legislation
By JERI CLAUSING
(
March 28, 2000
)
If it's a new week, that must mean there's a new online privacy bill. The latest proposal would create a new federal seal program to certify which Web sites abide by fair information practices.
Yahoo Says It Is Discussing Internet Privacy With the F.T.C.
By MATT RICHTEL
(
March 31, 2000
)
Yahoo notified the Securities and Exchange Commission that it was voluntarily cooperating with an inquiry by the Federal Trade Commission into how Internet sites gather personal information.
Politicians Call For Privacy Commission
By JERI CLAUSING
(
March 21, 2000
)
It's almost a cliche in Congress: When in doubt, create a commission. That's what two House members proposed last week as a way to deal with the tough questions of protecting privacy in the digital age.
Report Says Privacy Challenges Are Significant
By JOEL BRINKLEY
(
March 9, 2000
)
The Clinton administration published a new report on online security and privacy today, noting that legal authorities face significant new challenges keeping up with cyber-criminals.
DoubleClick Hires 2 to Calm Consumer Fears
By ERIC LIPTON
(
March 8, 2000
)
DoubleClick has hired two of New York's most prominent consumer advocates in an effort to reassure the public, investors and federal and state regulators that it will respect computer users' privacy rights.
Another Warning on Privacy
By JERI CLAUSING
(
March 7, 2000
)
Commerce Secretary William Daley used a news conference on e-commerce statistics to remind businesses that they are running out of time to prove they can police themselves regarding online privacy.
DoubleClick Rivals Relieved
By BOB TEDESCHI
(
March 6, 2000
)
DoubleClick's move to put a hold on its plan to link personal identities to anonymous surfing data was greeted positively by rivals. They had been bracing for more intense scrutiny of their own practices.
Clinton Calls for Stronger Measures to Protect Privacy
By MARC LACEY
(
March 4, 2000
)
In a speech from Silicon Valley, President Clinton called on the industry to enhance computer privacy to reassure many people like himself who are still wary of new technology.
DoubleClick Reverses on Privacy
By BOB TEDESCHI
(
March 3, 2000
)
Yielding to pressure, DoubleClick, the Internet advertising company, said that it would put a hold on its plan to link personal information to anonymous data it collects about consumers on the Internet.
Privacy Remains a Concern After DoubleClick Reversal
By JENNIFER FRIEDLIN
(
March 3, 2000
)
One day after the online advertising giant DoubleClick surprised the Internet community by suspending its plan to match names with anonymous user data to aim ads at specific consumers, market watchers said consumer sentiment would play a big role in drawing the red lines of Internet advertising.
U.S. and Europe Reach Tentative Pact on Personal Data
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 23, 2000
) After more than two years of negotiations, the United States and the European Union said on Wednesday that they had reached a tentative agreement on privacy laws governing the gathering of personal data about European consumers by American companies.
CYBER LAW JOURNAL
Can Cookies Act as Stalkers?
By CARL S. KAPLAN
(
February 18, 2000
) Under Texas law, a person who follows another person around
repeatedly in a way that is calculated to cause the victim to
fear for his safety is guilty of the crime of stalking. In the
Internet age, can the law be applied to a Web site?
Michigan Moves Against DoubleClick
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 17, 2000
)
Already under investigation by the federal government and the State of New York, the online advertising giant DoubleClick on Thursday was accused of violating Michigan's consumer protection laws.
U.S. Investigating DoubleClick Over Privacy Concerns
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 16, 2000
)
Responding to the growing backlash over the privacy practices of the Internet advertising giant DoubleClick, the Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General's office said they have launched separate inquiries of the company.
DoubleClick Acts on Privacy Issue
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 15, 2000
)
DoubleClick started a service and an educational campaign to help Web surfers protect their privacy in response to growing criticism of its tracking of consumers as they make their way around the Internet. But the effort was denounced by privacy advocates.
Tracking of Web Surfers Criticized
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 11, 2000
)
In two separate efforts targeting Internet companies that collect personal information, a privacy group asked federal regulators to investigate an online advertiser and a senator introduced a bill that would regulate such technology.
Losing Privacy in the Age of the Internet
By PETER H. LEWIS
(
February 10, 2000
)
In "Database Nation: The Death of Privacy in the 21st Century," Simson Garfinkle details insidious threats to privacy that arise from the Internet, from public and private surveillance cameras, from biometric devices and medical technology, from spy satellites and computer chips, and above all from the unrestrained gathering and unauthorized sharing of personal information through computer databases.
Now It Is EBay's Turn to Face Government Scrutiny
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 8, 2000
)
News that the Justice Department has opened a preliminary investigation into potentially anti-competitive behavior by the online auction giant eBay may offer a vindication of sorts for one of its smaller competitors.
• Key Privacy Negotiator Quits Clinton Administration
Critics Press Legal Assault on Tracking of Web Users
By BOB TEDESCHI
(
February 7, 2000
)
DoubleClick has never been popular with privacy advocates. In recent weeks, though, mere tension has grown into all-out war with the announcement that the company has begun adding information about consumers' offline behavior to its vast database.
Report Rings Alarm Bells About Privacy on the Internet
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 7, 2000
)
A report last week that most health-related Web sites were not honoring their promises to keep personal information about visitors private offered a somewhat alarming snapshot of the state of privacy on the Internet.
Health Sites Violate Their Own Privacy Standards, Study Finds
By JERI CLAUSING
(
February 2, 2000
)
Internet health sites collect some of the most personal information about their users, but few follow their own declared policies about maintaining the privacy of that data, according to a recent survey.
F.T.C. to Name Privacy Panel
By JERI CLAUSING
(
January 18, 2000
)
With the controversy over whether and how to regulate the privacy practices of online businesses heating up at almost every level of government, the Federal Trade Commission has no shortage of candidates for its new special advisory committee to study access and security issues.
Judge Says Recording of Electronic Chats Is Legal
By CARL S. KAPLAN
(
January 14, 2000
)
A judge in Washington has ruled that the state's wiretapping law does not apply to the new world of e-mail and online chats.
