Privacy in the Networked Environment

 It is essential to assure personal privacy in the networked environment if people are to feel comfortable doing business across this new medium. Data gatherers should tell consumers what information they are collecting and how they intend to use it. Consumers should have meaningful choice with respect to the use and re-use of their personal information. Parents should be able to choose whether or not personal information is collected from their children. In addition, redress should be available to consumers who are harmed by improper use or disclosure of personal information or if decisions are based on inaccurate, outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant personal information.

The administration supports private sector efforts now underway to implement meaningful, user friendly, self-regulatory privacy regimes. These include mechanisms for facilitating awareness and the exercise of choice online, private sector adoption of and adherence to fair information practices, and dispute resolution. The government will work with industry and privacy advocates to develop appropriate solutions to privacy concerns that may not be fully addressed by industry through self-regulation and technology.

Government Regulations

Various government agencies have been active in the development of the internet privacy policies or principles. Recent public outcries regarding online privacy have accelerated government's involvement. In Europe, there are laws protecting the privacy of citizen.

The task force recommended that  the proposed principles for privacy apply to both public and commercial uses of private information.

• Awareness - Individuals have a personal responsibility to obtain information about which data are collected and how they will be used.

• Empowerment - Individuals should have a way to access, correct, and technically control their information, and be anonymous in certain cases.

• redress - Individuals should take action when harm occurs.

• Impact assessment - Users of information should evaluate the impact on information providers of using their information.

• Only reasonably necessary - Users should only use information that is necessary.

• Notice - Users should provide information on why information is collected, what information is collected, which protections are offered, what consequences could result, and what redresses are available to the providers of information.

• Security - Users of information should provide security measures to protect the data.

• Limited use - Users of information should limit their use to the level of the individuals' understanding of that use.

• Education - User of information should provide education for providers of information and the public in general regarding privacy and collection of data. 

Critical Issues Confronting Global E Trade

Concerns of IT Industries in Developing country VS Developed Country