Privacy Organizations and Links
A number of public interest groups focus
on consumer privacy. Some engage in active lobbying
for privacy protection, while others provide venues
for information exchange. Several organizations
of Internet industry leaders have formed to define
standards for consumer privacy without government
involvement. All of the links in this section
provide valuable information of some kind.
The PerfectlyPrivate team has
reviewed and summarized their offerings to help
you find what you need.
Advocacy
Information
Self Regulatory
Privacy Groups
Health
Privacy Issues
Children's
Privacy Issues
Advocacy Groups
American
Civil Liberties Union
Established in 1920, the American
Civil Liberties Union has been an advocate for
freedom of speech, equal protection under law,
the right to due process and the right to privacy
for decades. The non-profit, non-partisan group
has fought and won multiple high profile civil
liberties cases, often targeting privacy invasion
and discrimination by government agencies. They
currently have over 300,000 members and offices
in almost every state.
The ACLU site is user friendly, content
rich and free. You will find calls to join the
member-supported ACLU on almost every page, as
well as many areas requesting your personal information.
If you do sign up, be sure to opt-out of having
your information shared, as the ACLU will share
your information with other interest groups if
you do not.
Advocacy Services
- The ACLU brings suits against government
agencies at every level as well as private businesses
on behalf of individuals who have had their
privacy invaded
- The ACLU actively lobbies Congress for
stronger privacy laws, and provides an easy
way for the public to take action on critical
bills
- Defend Your Data Campaign is an online
survey about consumer attitudes towards online
privacy. The results will be used to lobby Congress
for stronger legal protection of privacy
Valuable Features and
Information
- An online chat where visitors can share
horror stories and get answers to their privacy
questions
- Downloadable "Privacy Pocket Card"
provides simple tips on how to protect your
privacy
- Action Alerts let you know when key legislation
is up for vote, and lets you send free faxes
to your Congressional representative to voice
your opinion
- ACLU papers and court case materials on
a variety of civil liberty and privacy issues
Center
for Democracy and Technology
The Center for Democracy
and Technology works to promote constitutional
liberties, free expression and privacy in global
communications technologies, including the Internet.
Its work in advocacy is well regarded, and the
site offers useful consumer information. The CDT
site is free, loaded with privacy information
and easy to navigate.
Advocacy Services
- CDT lobbies for stronger protection against
privacy intrusions and surveillance by government
- CDT makes it easy for citizens to contact
their legislators through the "Activist
Network"
- ActionCDT co-sponsors international conferences
on human rights
Valuable Features and
Information
- "Policy Posts" email newsletter
gives up-to-date information on online civil
liberties issues
- "CDT Guide to Online Privacy" provides
a good summary of the key privacy issues
- "Legislation Affecting the Internet" is
a central area to learn what Congress is considering
- General information and links in the areas
of free speech, data privacy, government surveillance,
cryptography, digital authentication, bandwidth,
terrorism, cyber security, and domain names
- Special privacy reports, law review articles,
testimony and speeches
Computer
Professionals for Social Responsibility
CPSR is a public
interest, membership organization of computer
scientists and others concerned about the impact
of computer technology on society. The organization
began in 1981 as a discussion group at the Xerox
Palo Alto Research Center, concerned mainly with
the threat of nuclear war and the dangers associated
with computers for military use. Their focus,
membership and activities have since greatly expanded.
Their aim is to communicate their concerns about
the social implications of technology to the public,
to policymakers and to the profession.
Though aimed at computer professionals,
this content-rich Web site will be of value to
anyone interested in technology and privacy. Privacy
is just one of the many issues on which CPSR focuses.
We were impressed with the group's advocacy work.
Among other things, CPSR led a successful campaign
to halt the Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star
Wars." The site is free and easy to navigate.
Advocacy Services
- CPSR Working Groups focus on a variety
of issues, including cyber rights, cyber liberties,
education and others. Each group is empowered
to hold public meetings, write articles, lobby
Congress and develop information campaigns
Valuable Features and
Information
- CPSR "Topics" cover many areas
of privacy, both on and off the Internet. Each
topic gives a brief overview with links to online
articles and resources for further investigation
- Extensive FAQs on data privacy, social
security numbers, filters and other topics
Electronic
Frontier Foundation
EFF is a nonprofit
public interest group that promotes the principles
of disclosure and informed consent, free digital
expression and individual privacy. Based in San
Francisco, the group is supported almost entirely
by members and donors. Founded in 1990, EFF is
co-founder of the TRUSTe
program. EFF's "Blue Ribbon Campaign"
encourages Web sites to display its emblem in
support of online freedom of expression.
EFF provides many valuable free resources
to the public, including a free telephone hotline
for members of the online community who have questions
regarding their legal rights. The site's navigation
is excellent, with sidebar navigation, drop-down
menu and site search. We especially liked Radio
EFF, "Radio Free Cyberspace," EFF's
streaming Internet audio program with music and
information.
Advocacy Services
- Sponsors "CAFE" initiative to
protect free expression in digital audio and
video
- Satellite office in Washington, DC lobbies
Congress and prepares legal briefs and white
papers in support of privacy
- Sponsors litigation and provides pro bono
counsel to challenge threats to individual privacy
and expression
- Supports "common carriage principles"
to ensure that communications carriers do not
deny service to network users solely on the
basis of content
Valuable Features and
Information
- Online guide, "EFF's Top 12 Ways
to Protect Your Online Privacy"
- Internet mailing list forums and Usenet
newsgroups, including an active conference on
the Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL)
- Calendar lists major conferences related
to security, privacy and free expression
- EFF Pioneer Awards honor achievements
in online communications and digital freedom
- EFF Cooperative Computing Awards encourage
Internet users to collaborate on scientific
solutions
Electronic
Privacy Information Center
EPIC was founded
in 1994 and is a public interest research center
based in Washington, DC. Its efforts have earned
much public praise and awards, including NetGuide
Gold Site, Look Smart Editor's Choice, Vote Net
Outstanding Political Web Site and the Starting
Point Choice. It is one of the most visible and
active privacy advocacy groups.
This organization is widely respected
for its work in privacy, civil liberties, advocacy
and consumer information. We liked EPIC's stated
intention "to challenge any subpoena or other
legal process seeking access to our mailing list."
The site is free and packed with useful information,
although navigation is somewhat awkward. It helps
to know what you are looking for on this site.
Advocacy Services
- EPIC engages in privacy, free speech and
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation
- Through FOIA, EPIC obtains government
documents about cryptography and privacy policy,
and then posts them to the site for public disclosure
- EPIC testifies in Congress on bills affecting
free speech, Internet privacy and FOIA issues
- Bill-Track section allows visitors to
track pending privacy legislation in Congress
Valuable Features and
Information
- "Online Guide to Privacy Tools"
explains how to get encryption programs, anonymous
remailers and anonymous Net browsers
- "Online Guide to Privacy Resources"
lists Web sites, newsletters, conferences, and
organizations
- Archives provide an extensive collection
of online articles from various sources on security,
cryptography, free speech, freedom of information
and privacy
Health
Privacy Project
The Health Privacy
Project was founded in 1997 by Janlori Goldman,
co-founder of the Center for Democratic Technology,
to raise public awareness of health privacy issues.
This group is funded by a variety of foundations,
including the Open Society Institute, Robert Wood
Johnson, Trellis Fund, California HealthCare Foundation
and Pew Internet & American Life Project.
The Health Privacy Project is primarily an organization
that provides expertise on health privacy issues,
and staffs the Consumer Coalition for Health Privacy,
a network of over 50 advocacy groups dedicating
to improving public awareness and understanding
of health privacy issues. In those capacities,
they are often invited by Congress to testify.
The HPP site is well organized, easy to
navigate and free. There is a wealth of content
and information on health-related privacy issues,
from what to watch for to how to protect yourself.
Advocacy Services
- HPP is frequently invited to testify before
Congress on health-privacy related legislation
- The HPP Consumer Coalition for Health
Privacy provides the public with information
on health privacy issues and lobbies state and
federal lawmakers for stronger legislation
Valuable Features and
Information
- Well-written fact sheets on protecting
privacy, medical privacy stories, key privacy
issues, polling data, the 1996 Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act and more
- Organized summaries of relevant state
and federal laws
- A clearinghouse of federal government
reports on health privacy
- Email news alerts on the latest issues
- Transcripts of HPP congressional testimony
The
International Association of Privacy Officers
(IAPO)
The IAPO is the result of the recent union
between the Privacy Officers Association (POA)
and the Association of Corporate Privacy Officers
(ACPO). Now combined, these two groups will provide
a new, unified voice for privacy professionals
everywhere. IAPO will reach across all industries
to promote, support, and enhance the skills and
proficiency of privacy officers and other related
professionals.
Once a member,
you will depend on IAPO privacy training programs
and networking to stay informed. IAPO will become
an essential part of your support network and
educational infrastructure.
Junkbusters
Junkbusters was
founded in 1996 in Green Brook, New Jersey and
is a for-profit, privately held privacy advocacy
firm. Their mission
is to educate consumers about their right to privacy,
to help consumers fight unwanted marketing and
to provide a fee-service to businesses for "do
not call or contact" lists.
The Junkbusters site is full of useful,
hands-on information. It is somewhat disorganized
and difficult to navigate, but the time spent
there is worth it. A main feature of the site
is the free Internet Junkbuster software, which
blocks unwanted cookies and banner advertisements
while you surf. The site also features the Junkbusters
Declaration service, which allows users to generate
and send form letters requesting that their information
be removed from direct mail lists. Additional
information on how to prevent unwanted telemarketing
and spam can be found on the site as well.
Advocacy Services
- The Junkbusters site includes an area
that explains how to contact elected representatives
to voice concerns about privacy legislation
or privacy breaches
- Junkbusters President Jason Catlett is
a frequent, respected speaker on privacy, testifies
to Congress on privacy issues, and publicly
criticizes private firms that Junkbusters believes
are invading privacy. Recently, Catlett went
to the press with his criticisms of Amazon.com's
new privacy policy.
Valuable Features and
Information
- Junkbusters Declaration helps you stop
unwanted mail
- Free Internet Junkbusters software blocks
cookies and banner ads
- Junkbusters Privacy Headlines is a list
of "what to watch for" in terms of
privacy invasion
- Fact sheets on cookies, banners, spam,
telemarketing and more
Privacy
Rights Clearinghouse
PRC offers in-depth
information on a variety of privacy issues, as
well as practical tips on safeguarding personal
privacy. PRC was established in 1992 with funding
from the Telecommunications Education Trust, a
program of the California Public Utilities Commission,
as well as a class action settlement with Aaron
Brothers regarding merchant credit transactions.
PRC is a member of the Electronic
Frontier Foundation (EFF) Blue Ribbon Campaign
for Online Freedom of Expression.
The diverse information and "Fact
Sheets" in this Web site are free to all.
Navigation and site design are fine, though some
of the information seems out-of-date.
Advocacy Services
- PRC presents speeches, testimony and issue
papers before various governmental agencies.
Full text is provided online
- PRC works with the Identify Theft Resource
Center to support victims of identity theft
and provide public information to fight this
growing problem
Valuable Features and
Information
- Growing series of Fact Sheets on privacy
issues, available in English and Spanish
- A summary archive of actual legal cases
involving privacy invasion, through 1997
Privacy
Exchange
Privacy Exchange
promotes interaction among consumers, government
and businesses on privacy issues. PE reports on
data protection laws and collects and distributes
model data protection policies. The idea for this
informational privacy Web site rose out of informal
meetings in Germany between EU and US government
and business representatives, academics, legal
and privacy experts in 1996 and 1997. The site
was launched in 1998 at the Fifth Annual Privacy
and American Business Conference in Washington,
DC.
This site is especially valuable for online
businesses, although consumers will find the online
tutorials of interest, too. One of the most valuable
resources we found on the site was "Organizational
Codes," a library of several hundred voluntary
consumer privacy policies adopted by individual
companies and industry associations. Navigation
is simple, and a site search engine is provided.
Valuable Features and
Information
- Online Tutorials cover "10 Hot Topics
in Privacy on the Internet"
- Legal Library contains provisions of national
and multi-national privacy and data protection
laws, with official government explanations
- Trans-Border section includes relevant
legal provisions on trans-border data flow,
as well as the experiences of actual companies
- Issues-Studies-Surveys is an archive of
government reports, expert papers, conference
proceedings and other documents
- Global Privacy Dialogue offers an extensive
listing of privacy Web sites
Information Services
Federal
Trade Commission
The Federal Trade
Commission is charged with enforcing a variety
of consumer protection laws, and is the main agency
that handles privacy related complaints against
corporations and other government agencies. A
large part of their mission is to stop and punish
unfair or deceptive business practices, with a
focus on protecting consumers' opportunities to
exercise informed choice.
The FTC Web site is well organized and
informative. They provide transcripts of recent
cases, public comments and in-depth reports on
consumer privacy.
Valuable Features and
Information
- "KidzPrivacy" pages provide
user-friendly information on complying with
COPPA, as well as children's privacy information
for parents and kids
- Congressional reports on implementation
of the fair information practices of notice,
choice, access and security by Web sites
- Information on online profiling, how to
comply with COPPA and other topics
- A user-friendly "Consumers Guide
to Travel in Cyberspace"
Interhack
Interhack is a developer
and supplier of computer and network security
tools. We are including them on this list because
they also seek out and release news of privacy
breaches at major Web sites. Interhack was the
group that uncovered the use of hidden tracking
at TRUSTe seal-holding sites Lucy.com and Fusion.com.
They also publish detailed reports on security
and privacy risks in the marketplace.
The Interhack site appears to be designed
for technology insiders, and is not particularly
user friendly. It does provide quality information
that you won't find elsewhere, so we think it's
worth the trouble.
Valuable Features and
Information
- Interhack series of papers on privacy,
including the pitfalls of cookies, privacy seals,
banner ads and more
- News releases covering privacy breaches
at major Web sites, such as Bank One, TRUSTe,
ToysRUs and others
- For technical users, Interhack provides
code to improve security and thwart privacy
invasion
- Information on firewalls, filters and
other security tools
OMB
Watch
A nonprofit research and advocacy organization
dedicated to promoting government accountability
and citizen participation in public policy decisions.
This mission centers on four main areas: the federal
budget; regulatory policy; public access to government
information; and policy participation by nonprofit
organizations. Located in Washington, D.C., OMB
Watch was founded in 1983 to lift the veil of
secrecy shrouding the powerful White House Office
of Management and Budget (OMB). The organization
has since expanded its focus to include the substantive
areas that OMB oversees.
Pew
Internet & American Life Project
The Pew Internet
& American Life Project is a non-profit initiative
of the Pew Research Center for People and the
Press. The Pew Project was created to conduct
and fund academic-level research on the impact
of the Internet on children, families, communities,
the work place, schools, health care and politics.
This relatively new organization has already published
a variety of detailed, informative reports based
on their own original research about the Internet's
role in society. PIP has set a goal to publish
15 to 20 pieces of original research each year.
The Pew site is easy to navigate, without
a lot of non-essential information. It includes
the Pew reports, recent Internet headlines and
some background material.
Valuable Features and
Information
- The Internet Data Dump is a clearinghouse
of statistical sites about the Internet
- All of the papers are well written and
contain new information. They are also frequently
updated.
- A hyper-linked list of the leading Internet
reporters in both electronic and print media
Business Associations
Promoting Self-Regulation
Internet
Advertising Bureau
Founded
in 1996, IAB is a global advertising industry
trade association with over 300 members in the
United States. IAB evaluates and recommends standards
and practices, researches online advertising techniques
and educates advertisers about the use of online
and digital advertising.
IAB requires that
members meet the IAB privacy guidelines. Members
must post a privacy policy that includes notice
and disclosure, choice and consent, data quality
and access, limited use of data, data security
and trans-border data flows. In August 2000 IAB
announced the formation of the Chief Privacy Officer
(CPO) Council, to work with executives responsible
for privacy in the online industry. Jules Polonetsky,
Chief Privacy Officer, DoubleClick, and Ray Everett
Church, Chief Privacy Officer and Vice President,
Public Policy for AllAdvantage.com, are the Council's
co-chairs. The IAB site is well designed, and
easy to navigate.
Valuable Features
and Information
- Detailed privacy policy guidelines for
businesses
- Comprehensive resource center with links
to online privacy resources
Internet
Alliance
The Internet Alliance
was formed in 1985 as a lobbying group for the
Internet industry at the state, federal and international
level. They are vocal advocates for self-regulation
of Internet activity. Current members include:
@Once, 24/7Media, America Online, BMG Entertainment
North America, Citibank, the Council of Better
Business Bureaus, Cox Interactive Media, Juno
Online Services, IBM, Microsoft, Privada, Prodigy
Communications, UUNet and Verizon. The Web site
provides an overview of privacy guidelines for
online businesses, guidelines for unsolicited
email (also known as spam) and an online privacy
policy generator. Site design and navigation are
adequate.
Valuable Features and
Information
- White Paper "Building Consumer Trust
and Confidence in the Internet Age" articulates
IA's arguments for privacy protection without
government regulation
- Testimony of IA officers before state
and federal legislative bodies illustrates IA's
position on self-regulation
- A link to "Project Open," IA's
consumer privacy page, with links to privacy
resources for consumers
Online
Privacy Alliance
The Online Privacy
Alliance was formed in 1998 in an attempt to define
the issue of privacy, develop effective self-regulatory
standards and create a framework for enforcement.
OAP's 80 members include several high-tech heavy
hitters such as AOL, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Real
Networks, AT&T, Eastman Kodak and others.
OAP has developed standards for privacy policies
that include notice, choice, access and security,
as well as additional standards for child privacy.
In enforcement, the group supports third party
programs and specifically seals such as TRUSTe
and BBBOnline. The site is attractive and well
designed, with most of the content focused towards
businesses.
Valuable Features and
Information
- A summary of privacy initiatives by some
of its members
- "Creating Consumer Confidence Online"
brochure for businesses
- Guidelines for effective privacy polices
and enforcement for businesses
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