When you travel online, you often leave
a digital "footprint" wherever you go. This is especially true
if you shop online or engage in other activities, like chat sessions and
newsgroups, where information such as your e-mail address can be obtained
and used to promote products and services. You should understand your online
privacy rights so that you can make informed decisions about when you may
want to provide information about yourself.
Some consumers may be willing to share information about themselves in exchange
for access to an Internet site. However, other users want a greater degree
of privacy. Protecting Your Privacy When You Go
Online offers
advice to consumers who want to know how to safeguard their privacy interests
online. Project
OPEN's "protecting privacy" initiative will
help consumers understand how to hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign
on their electronic doorknob.
Issue Sponsors
NYNEX Corporation has joined with Project
OPEN to sponsor consumer information about online privacy.
NYNEX provides a full range of communications services to more than 12
million customers in the northeastern United States and selected markets
around the world. The company has expertise in telecommunications,
wireless communications, cable televisions, directory publishing, video
entertainment, and information network and delivery services.
Other Resources
ISA Online Solicitation Guidelines
and Related Privacy Documents
Presented in connection with the Federal Trade Commission's Workshop on
Consumer Privacy and Global Information Infrastructure, June 4-5, 1996
The Interactive Services Association's Guidelines
for Online Services on the Renting of Subscriber Mailing Lists offers
guidelines for online services to follow if they rent their subscriber mailing
lists to third parties.
Subscribers should check with their online service for details on its privacy
policies.
