Internet Privacy, Yes or No

Internet privacy raises eyebrows as new year begins

WASHINGTON CNN Internet shopping, Internet stock trading, Internet chat rooms, email all seem to offer computer users a convenient way to conduct business from the privacy of home or office.

But in reality, privacy may end at the stroke of the keyboard some computers are keeping tabs on their owners.

In fact, they are leaving a trail that on such and such a day they looked at this book on sex in ancient Rome and they went to sex in the middle ages, said Professor Alan Westin, with Columbia University. And after a while, there is a profile that is made up by the organizations they go to.

Experts say privacy concerns may be the thorniest legislative and legal issues that lie ahead for Internet users.

We have to have rules of the road if this is not to be a very dangerous thing, said Westin.

Internet sites collect vast amounts of personal data, much of it given voluntarily, like credit card numbers, addresses or income. Even some privacy advocates admit to giving away information.

I give out my address to certain Internet places because I need something shipped to me. I dont have a choice, said Mark Rasch, of Global Integrity, an Internet security consulting group.

But much of our personal data is collected without our knowledge through something called a cookie a code of data strings hidden in computers.

The first batch of cookies was baked with a wholesome intent to make it easier for users to access their favorite Web sites. The site would hide a cookie with your name and, maybe a password, on your computer system. Then when you came back for a second visit, the cookie would allow the site to recognize you without going through a lengthy reintroduction.

Unfortunately, less scrupulous Web sites can use the same cookie technology to track users around the Web and gather detailed information about their interests.

They sell it, and they make money off the personal information that I have given them, said Rasch. And what we are recognizing now on the Internet is that personal information is commodity.

One way to regain privacy lies is through encryption putting all that personal information and communication into a secure code.

But encryption also has a downside. U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno told the House Intelligence Committee last summer that terrorists can use encryption to hide their plans.

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My Comments about privacy:

If accessing the Internet is going to invade my privacy, what would I do to make my experience safer. Well if the Internet companies web sites that I access can't offer a safe surfing environment, then I will have to purchase software that will protect me from these companies that invade my privacy. If people don't feel safe when their online, I believe they will limit what they do, or look for safer alternatives. Privacy is important and if we have companies like Face book and Google not protecting are Privacy rights, we as the consumer will look to companies that will offer that Privacy protection and you will see a huge move of consumers to that company that offers Privacy Protection. So I believe consumer protection is very important when it comes to peoples rights to have Privacy or not. Everyone can go into to preferences and setup their privacy of what they want available to everyone or no one. This should be the right to the consumer to choose. Most people probably are unaware of what information is accessed on their computers, but I am pretty sure when they find out what is being accessed they will want protection. If companies want to force the hand of the consumer, I strongly believe that what every company says they will give the consumer what they want will be in business. So I hope in the days to come that laws or decisions are made that make using the Internet safer or in others words give the consumer options to set their own privacy preferences even on what the company can even access. Without rules in place to keep the Internet safe, we are all exposed to identity theft, credit card and personal information of many different types available to the highest bidder. If you don't care if someone on the Internet gets your private information what ever that might be, than you don't have worry.