The FTC and Consumer Privacy Online
A recent PC World article highlights the problem of Privacy, or the lack of it, online. According the article, the Federal Trade Commission will start looking at enforcing rules for websites.
The issue here is that most people do not even know what information they are giving up when they go to a website. Tracking cookies, browser information and location are only part of the problem. Users also enter in information into online forms without knowing where that information is going and how it might be used. Typically reading a site’s privacy policy is a good first start. Unfortunately many of these are vague and / or can be updated without notice.
A good rule is to not enter private information online unless you absolutely have to. Even “good” companies might do bad things. The article references how Sears was using information online. They weren’t being evil or malicious, they just did not understand the big privacy picture.
To read the full article, please visit PC World. However when you read the article, keep in mind this applies to the United States only. Other countries around the world also have to implement these types of guidelines. So if you visit a website hosted somewhere outside of the United States, then they have to abide by their country’s rules, not ours.
As we always warn people, do not take your privacy for granted. It is up to you to protect it. Privacy may be a right, but it’s not always one that is protected.
