Privacy: Issues, Policies, Statements - E-commerce And Privacy

E-COMMERCE AND PRIVACY

Most e-commerce Web sites monitor the movements of online visitors and consumers. Often companies sell or release customer information to third parties to promote additional products or to support direct-marketing campaigns. Online marketing generates spam, or "junk" e-mail, in the form of unsolicited advertisements and promotions. Studies indicate that many Americans consider these practices an un-warranted invasion of their privacy. Forrester Research estimated that $12.2 billion in e-commerce revenue was lost to privacy concerns in 2000, up from $2.8 billion in 1999.

Internet users can block monitoring of their online behavior in various ways. Two simple examples are giving false information when personal data is requested and encrypting their own e-mail. Software is also available to prevent online tracking and block spam. But despite Americans' nervousness about online surveillance, only 10 percent of Internet users have set their browsers to reject cookies, according to a 2000 Pew Internet Survey.