Privacy has become a major concern on the Internet. Why Internet privacy is so hot recently when it has been there for a long time? Because anything that happens online seems much more exciting than things going on in the "real" world. In addition, recently the Wiki leak and Facebook privacy issue bring Internet privacy back to people’s concern.
Several activities on the Internet will reveal your personal information, like signing up for Internet service, E-mail, using social network, browsing website, and managing our financial accounts and online bill payments. People know there is possibility that their personal information will be released. However, they do not really know and understand how organizations collect and use personal information on the Internet. Many Web sites require visitors to identify themselves and provide information about their wants and needs. Some Web sites track visitors’ "footsteps" through the site by storing a cookie, or identifying string of text, on their computers. Each organization has different ways to collect and use people’s personal information on the Internet. However, there are only limited regulations that really protect consumers’ Internet privacy.
Privacy & Data-Mining on the Internet , EU’s Data Privacy Directive and International Relations, and United States Internet Privacy Law are main regulations addressing Internet privacy issue. Recently, In mid-May, Vice President Al Gore announced a White House initiative aimed at helping to improve online privacy protections. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report in June addressing Internet privacy. The report is the results of its March privacy "sweep," in which the agency visited more than 1,400 commercial Web sites in search of clearly displayed privacy policies. The FTC reported that while 85% of the sites it had visited collect personal information from consumers, only 14% had posted any privacy-related notices, and only 2% had posted comprehensive privacy policies. Meanwhile, E.U. says it will overhaul privacy regulations.
How these actions will actually protect Internet users’privacy? We don’t know. Even though government is taking their initiatives, but with today’s technology, we never know what will happen. I believe what Internet users’ can do is being sensitive about releasing their personal information. According to an article, there are six tips people can do to protect privacy.
