###
From: Henry Butz photo@li.net
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 7:51pm
Subject: re: Public Comment on self-regulation of Privacy Policies
The United States has demonstrated the worst invasion of consumer
on-line privacy to the extent as to be embarrassed by the European
Internet community. On-line "marketers" continue inflict millions of
dollars of damages onto computer systems and individuals through the
practice of unsolicited commercial email. Legislators continue to
"study" the problem for the past three years, offering only vague
promises of relief from on-going "spam" attacks, influenced by special
interest groups such as "Direct Voice." No mechanism is available to
the consumer to reduce the costs being inflicted upon them, such as
higher phone rates, increased on-line time which translates to higher
Internet Service fees, as well as their time consumed.
Unlike other forms of direct advertising media, unsolicited commercial
email is insidious in its ability to defray nearly 100% of the cost onto
unwilling recipients and computer systems which carry it. Unlike a
telephone call, unsolicited commercial email collects indefinitely for
months, sometimes years until it is opened. Unlike the U.S. Postal
system bulk mail, unsolcited commercial email does not benefit the
system which it uses, does not defray operating costs of the Internet,
and does not provide benefit to the consumer.
Self regulation of such a damaging thing, which costs nearly nothing to
operate, has already been proven impossible the Federal Trade Commission
and their on-going Consumer Privacy Workshops for the past three years.
The time has come for the United States Government to intervene - to
give consumers the right to choose how their email address is used.
Many mechanisms may be easily implemented - labeling, filtering, and
cost balancing. None of these mechanisms have been explored by
"marketers."
Self regulation on the Internet has been proven a complete failure.
Henry Butz
865-44A Broadway Avenue
Holbrook, NY 11741
###
From: "Coldfire" coldfire@gte.net
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 6:33pm
Subject: POSSIBLE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK, IF THE SHOE FITS WEAR IT.
DEAR FTC FORCES, IF YOU FIND A WAY TO STOP THE CHILD PORN COMPLETELY,
AND REGULATE AND MAYBE CREATE A ZONE TO SERVE ADULT PORN PEOPLE IN
A NON PUBLIC ARENA, I WANT TO SAY "LIKE IT IS ON T.V. " BUT YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT AREA IS REFLECTS ON HOW PROFESSIONAL AND
EFFECTIVE YOU THE FTC IS. CHANNEL 29 IN SEATTLE WA. SHOWS EVERYTHING
IN LIVIONG COLOR THAT THE NET WOULD EVER HAVE AND WE TAXPAYERS
MUST FOOT THE BILL WHILE ONE PERSON SUCKS ON ANOTHER ON PUBLIC TV.
SEEMS LIKE EVERY MOVIE MUST HAVE A SEX SCENE, MAKES ME THINK THE FTC
MEANS "FINANCE THAT CRAP". HOWEVER IF YOU DECIDE TO TAKE YOUR
OFFICE SERIOUSLY AND THE COMMERECE DEPARTMENT STOPS TRYING TO
MAKE MORE MONEY EXPLOITING AMERICAN CITIZENS OFF OF PORN AS DRUG
DEALERS, IS THERE GOVERNMENT REGULATED WHOREHOUSES IN NEVADA, OR
LETS JUST KICK CLINTON SOME MORE AND FORGET THE GUYS THAT ARE PAID
TO WORK THESE ISSUES ANS USE OF TAXES. IF YOU RUN WHOREHOUSES IN
NEVADA, THEN WHY DOES BILL CLINTON NOT CORRECT YOUR JOB TITLE, AND
WHERE SHOULD WE START
RN
###
From: Ben Humphreys brh@btic.com
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 4:55pm
Subject: Privacy on the Internet
Photo radar, smog dogs, and satellite tracking. The government already
interfeers, tracks, and monitors us too much.
Leave the Internet alone. The best way to let it flourish is to keep
government out, that that includes encryption.
Sincerely,
Ben Humphreys
###
From: GJcomm@aol.com
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 12:53pm
Subject: Privacy
Any form of self-regulation in the realm of privacy is doomed to fail.
Corporations cannot be trusted to keep or to contain an individual's privacy
when not doing so adds profit to their bottom line. It is time for the
government to pass sweeping legislation to protect privacy online and off. I
never thought I would see the day when Europeans would have more rights than
US citizens. Hopefully the EU will force this issue to the point where you
have to protect your OWN citizen's right to privacy.
Jerry Eberhart
###
From: Jordan caster@bslnet.com
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 3:43am
Subject: Privacy & Government
Just wanted to add my two cents, and say that I think the Government should *not*
involve itself in Internet happenings. Keep the Taxes out, the censorship, the
control, and the word Government. It's a threat more than anything else. USERS of the
Internet don't want Government control of the Internet, only the non-users, and the
"over-reactive" people. Press the issue for PARENTAL duties, and PARENTAL issues, NOT
Governmental. The parents are the ones who need to be responsible, and, quite frankly,
the ones with computers and Internet access are the "higher class" people, and they're
typically better at regulating and controlling (and being responsible) their kids'
actions, including things they might do online. I DO NOT want my online-life to be
controlled; it's the only non-regulated part of my life. I enjoy my online freedom,
and nothing good would result from Government control and censorship. Nothing. It'd
all be bad. Make those parents do their parts! THEY are the ones who are being
irresponsible, and if they do what they're supposed to, then there should never be an
issue.
Thank you,
Jordan Piergrossi
21 yr. old male. Arizona. Registered Voter.
Online User.
###
From: "Dick Scheidell" dicks@ntr.net
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 8:16pm
Subject: don't allow our government any more intrusiveness if they want to know what is
going on that is what
don't allow our government any more intrusiveness if they want to know what is going on that is
what the CIA & FBI are for
###
From: Ben Humphreys brh@btic.com
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 4:55pm
Subject: Privacy on the Internet
Photo radar, smog dogs, and satellite tracking. The government already
interfeers, tracks, and monitors us too much.
Leave the Internet alone. The best way to let it flourish is to keep
government out, that that includes encryption.
Sincerely,
Ben Humphreys
###
From: cotton cotton@prepsmart.com
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 8:42pm
Subject: net self-regulation
I support net self-regulation of the internet
Clay Cotton, Director
National Academy of Long Term Care Insurance Professionals
7990 Snyder Road, Suite 21201
Tucson, AZ 85750
520 / 760-4515
cotton@prepsmart.com
http://www.longtermcareinsurance.org
"We are at the dawn of an age in which extreme political concepts and
dogmas may cease to dominate human affairs. We must use this historic
opportunity to replace them with universal human and spiritual values. And
ensure that these values become the fiber of the global family which in
emerging." -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
###
From: "ILMAR "Lindy" LINDSTROM" ilindst1@nycap.rr.com
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 9:47pm
Subject: Privacy Issues
1.. Consumers must have no cost access to their information, if even for the purpose of
verifying such information is correct.
2.. Penalties /damage should be paid to the wronged party.
3.. Issue of accountability when privacy policy is violated - accountability to whom?
4.. Question of age of consent, <12 years. Many kids <12 have considerable computer skills.
Anyone of them could cause lot of damage, misinformation etc. Anyone can misrepresent their
age.
5.. Consumers must have the option of having a password allowing the collection of
information, regardless of age.
6.. Anyone should not able to "Verify" the information collected on a consumer. Again
misrepresentation. See password option above.
7.. Disclosure to third parties - A consumer should have the option of selecting specific third
parties, or "Blanket" disclosure. A consumer must have the ability to determine if information
has been disclosed to third parties, approved or not.
8.. Until such a time as the above has been chipped in rock, I will not complete surveys,
information requests, nor order on line.
ilindst1@nycap.rr.com
###
From:
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 10:54pm
Subject: Read this!
Please, uphold the same rights you give every other form of media in this
country. Dont close the door on free speech. As the net becomes the
information source of the 21st century, you'll see why this is so important,
just wait until your TV is your computer too.
John Serrao------------------> ToneDef78@aol.com
###
From: "Tim Morell"
To: NTIA
Date: 6/9/98 10:33pm
Subject: privacy legislation
I'm glad to know that information privacy is getting some legislative
attention. Commerce and government both can be streamilined and more
efficient when information is free flowing--one example would be that
medical records can be shared between hospitals, doctors and phamacies by
fax and other electronic means so that a patient's life can be saved in
emergencies where a complete history might otherwise be unavailable. In
matters of credit and insurance, better more reliable information can mean
lower costs and rates for consumers.
But freedom and privacy are values that should not be sacrified just for
business and bureaucratic efficiency. Stolen identities, credit fraud, money
laundering, theft and a host of other crimes are easily had once an
efficient and universal method of collecting and disseminating data becomes
available.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, insurance companies, credit bureaus,
and lawyers have been combining to defeat the legitimate interests of
consumers and to deny them their coverages and rights as individuals. The
vast amount of data collected and disseminated would never be permitted
under most state privacy statutes and state consititutions. The new
amendments to the Act ironically encourage fraud and misappropriation of
data--for example under the new fcra businesses under common ownership can
share data with little fear of sanction even if they have no lawful purpose.
Courts have interpreted the FCRA not to even apply to users of information
that the users have wrongly obtained. And if FCRA wrongdoers successfully
cover up their wrongdoing so that the consumer doesn't know about it until
after the 2 year statute of limitations runs, then in most cases the
consumer is out of luck. Direct defiance of the law has led to its
avoidance.
Anyway...I have a great deal of experience and interest in this subject
matter from a small business and consumer point of view. If there is any way
I can participate further, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Tim Morell
tim_morell@counsel.com
###
From: Judie Mulholland, judiemul@kc-inc.net
To: NTIA.NTIAHQ(privacy)
Date: 6/10/98 10:57am
Subject: privacy responses
1. Name:
Judie Mulholland
2. Email:
judiemul@kc-inc.net
3. Affiliation:
Florida State University
Question 1: When you go to Web sites, do you typically see notices telling you what companies
are doing with information about you? Is this important to you?
yes
yes because of the privacy concerns, i want to know what their official policy is on how they
handle the data that they receive based on my activity at their site.
Question 2: Do Web sites that you visit give you control over secondary uses of your
information (for example do they ask your permission to send you more information, or let you
opt-out of mailings)? If so, what kind of choices? If not, what would you like to see them offer?
yes, a number of them do. however based on the sites that i visit, they are still in the minority.
and generally, when they give me that option, i usually fill out their forms, because usually i
want to be kept informed about any changes or updates to their site.\
i would like to be able to be given the choice of whether or not i want them to use the data that is
generated from my activity on their site and i would like if they sell my e-mail address or the
information to any other parties.
Question 3: Do you find that companies give you the ability to access and correct data that you
have provided about yourself? How important is this to you?
yes
very important
Question 4: How should companies be held accountable for failures to protect privacy? Should
they be fined? Should you be able to sue them?
both depending on the type of infringement
Question 5: The collection of information from children is an especially sensitive area. What
Should be done to protect children's privacy online?
i agree. web sites should not be allowed to collect information from children without the
parent's consent. plus they should be required to post how/when/when they plan to use the
information.
Question 6: Do you think that if industry adopts all of these measures that your privacy will be
protected? Would you rather see government make laws to regulate privacy on the Internet?
firstly, i would like to see self-regulation, with any violaters being exposed by the community at
large and if that doesn't work, then government regulation. however given the direction taken by
other jurisdictions, the government maybe forced to regulate in this area in order to be
harmonious with other jurisdictions.
Question 7: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
i continue to be unnerved by cookies. i mean when i visit a site for a first time and i see
welcome [and the name/ip address from the machine i am using) or i revisit a site and as part of
the greeting, i am reminded of when was the last time i visited, it's a bit off-putting.
Question 8: Other Comments:
###
From: "Don Tennant II"
To: NTIA.NTIAHQ(privacy)
Date: 6/10/98 12:31pm
Subject: Elements of Effective Self-Regulation for Protection of Privacy
To Whom It May Concern:
I am an avid Internet user with a fair knowledge of the issues involved in
Internet privacy. I would like to make the following comments on the paper
issued by Commerce with the title in the subject-line of this e-mail.
I agree whole-heartedly with the points made in all of both Sections A and
B. In particular, it is very important to point out that penalties should
be incurred for a breach of said security.
Thank you.
dt2@hknet.com
###
From: Mark Kraynak, mark.kraynak@ey.com
To: NTIA.NTIAHQ(privacy)
Date: 6/11/98 2:03pm
Subject: privacy responses
1. Name:
Mark Kraynak
2. Email:
mark.kraynak@ey.com
3. Affiliation:
Ernst & Young
Question 1: When you go to Web sites, do you typically see notices telling you what companies
are doing with information about you? Is this important to you?
I sometimes see notices. It is very important that companies protect my information.
Question 2: Do Web sites that you visit give you control over secondary uses of your
information (for example do they ask your permission to send you more information, or let you
opt-out of mailings)? If so, what kind of choices? If not, what would you like to see them offer?
Some web sites will ask whether additional information can be sent to me. I would like to see
them offer me the option of their reselling my information to other parties. Too often,
information
gets shared that I would rather not have shared. Credit card companies are the biggest offenders
in this case.
Question 3: Do you find that companies give you the ability to access and correct data that you
have provided about yourself? How important is this to you?
Rarely.
Question 4: How should companies be held accountable for failures to protect privacy? Should
they be fined? Should you be able to sue them?
Both. I think there needs to be a punitive process for companies that share improper data.
This process should include a central, well-publicized bureau for consumer complaints.
Currently
it is too difficult to pursue companies who have broken the law in this way.
Question 5: The collection of information from children is an especially sensitive area. What
Should be done to protect children's privacy online?
Censorship or regulation of sites at the source is both impractical and unethical. Children
should be "protected" by their parents or guardians or schools. There is some technology to
help enable this, but the responsibility ultimately lies with the childrens's guardians, not the
technology nor the content originator.
Question 6: Do you think that if industry adopts all of these measures that your privacy will be
protected? Would you rather see government make laws to regulate privacy on the Internet?
I think there should be one or several privacy watchdogs like the Better Business Bureau. Also,
there should be punitive laws for companies which violate consumer's privacy rights.
Question 7: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
Every time I buy something from an internet-based vendor, I have to decide whether or not I
think
the vendor is reputable enough to justify my giving them my personal information. A seal or
trustmark of some sort (backed up by an auditing or watchdog group) would relieve much of
this fear.
Question 8: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
Distinguishing between the online world and the offline world shows a profound
misunderstanding
of the issues at hand. Anything collected offline can be put online with little or no real effort.
So I guess my answer is yes, the same rules should apply to everything.
Question 9: Other Comments:
###
From: Bernard Fox, bernief@hooked.net
To: NTIA.NTIAHQ(privacy)
Date: 6/12/98 8:39pm
Subject: privacy responses
1. Name:
Bernard Fox
2. Email:
bernief@hooked.net
3. Affiliation:
private
Question 1: When you go to Web sites, do you typically see notices telling you what companies
are doing with information about you? Is this important to you?
No, I seldom if ever see any notices of how my info. is being used. It is extremely important
that I be informed of their policy.
Question 2: Do Web sites that you visit give you control over secondary uses of your
information (for example do they ask your permission to send you more information, or let you
opt-out of mailings)? If so, what kind of choices? If not, what would you like to see them offer?
Probably less than half do ask permission. Again, this should be a standard option offered.
Question 3: Do you find that companies give you the ability to access and correct data that you
have provided about yourself? How important is this to you?
Most companies do not five me this ability. This should also be a standard option offered to all.
Question 4: How should companies be held accountable for failures to protect privacy? Should
they be fined? Should you be able to sue them?
They should definately be open to a law suit for invasion of my privacy.
Question 5: The collection of information from children is an especially sensitive area. What
Should be done to protect children's privacy online?
All requests for info. from children under 16 years of age should be illegal.
SEVERE PENALTIES SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON COMPANIES THAT OBTAIN
INFO FROM MINORS.
Question 6: Do you think that if industry adopts all of these measures that your privacy will be
protected? Would you rather see government make laws to regulate privacy on the Internet?
I don't think we can trust companies to be honest about this. Government should definately
make
laws regulating protection of privacy on the internet.
Question 7: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
I get unsolicited e-mails all the time from companies that have obtained my information
from sources that I have not been informed about. Many so called "free offers" are used to
obtain this info. and is sold.
Question 8: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
All personal info. should be protected by the same rules no matter what the source.
Question 9: Other Comments:
This whole issue goes right to the root of our democratic system and has the potential to bring
the system down.
###
From: Conrad A. Sthare, casthare@ptdprolog.net
To: NTIA.NTIAHQ(privacy)
Date: 6/12/98 8:27pm
Subject: privacy responses
1. Name:
Conrad A. Sthare
2. Email:
casthare@ptdprolog.net
3. Affiliation:
private citizen
Question 1: When you go to Web sites, do you typically see notices telling you what companies
are doing with information about you? Is this important to you?
Yes, very much so!
Question 2: Do Web sites that you visit give you control over secondary uses of your
information (for example do they ask your permission to send you more information, or let you
opt-out of mailings)? If so, what kind of choices? If not, what would you like to see them offer?
I generally do not allow this, but when I do, im'm looking for information about computers.
Question 3: Do you find that companies give you the ability to access and correct data that you
have provided about yourself? How important is this to you?
Extremely!!!!
Question 4: How should companies be held accountable for failures to protect privacy? Should
they be fined? Should you be able to sue them?
Yes they should be fined and also I should have the ability to sue them for invasion of privacy.
The web is no different than a private conservation as far as I'm concerned.
Question 5: The collection of information from children is an especially sensitive area. What
Should be done to protect children's privacy online?
Parental Control - Make the parents accountable for watching and controlling what their
children do.
The rest of the world can't be expected to "babysit them".!!!
Question 6: Do you think that if industry adopts all of these measures that your privacy will be
protected? Would you rather see government make laws to regulate privacy on the Internet?
Let's try it first for about a year.
Question 7: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
Untold many.
Question 8: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
I think these should only be accessable by the partys
involved and only with my permission. Personal privacy
is the only thing we have left, let's protect it!!
Question 9: Other Comments:
###
From: Vince Inman, max61@gte.net
To: NTIA.NTIAHQ(privacy)
Date: 6/12/98 12:50am
Subject: privacy responses
1. Name:
Vince Inman
2. Email:
max61@gte.net
3. Affiliation:
US citizen, taxpayer and network technician
Question 1: When you go to Web sites, do you typically see notices telling you what companies
are doing with information about you? Is this important to you?
NO they all don't and yes it is important. Without my prior consent, no specific information of
my person should be used
for any commercial purposes.
Question 2: Do Web sites that you visit give you control over secondary uses of your
information (for example do they ask your permission to send you more information, or let you
opt-out of mailings)? If so, what kind of choices? If not, what would you like to see them offer?
Yes, I find this to be satisfactory. Usually they ask permission to email more info, or as stated,
give you the option to opt out.
Question 3: Do you find that companies give you the ability to access and correct data that you
have provided about yourself? How important is this to you?
Absolutely not. If any info on me that is used for any purpose, at the very least should be
accurate.
I intentionally put errors in place to track where my info is being forwarded too, such as
incorrectly spelling
my name or an incorrect initial etc. This way I can trace the source of who is getting the info
on me.
Question 4: How should companies be held accountable for failures to protect privacy? Should
they be fined? Should you be able to sue them?
They should be open to breach of privacy suits with MAJOR fines and penalties resulting, this
includes all
levels of government in addition to commercial organizations.
Question 5: The collection of information from children is an especially sensitive area. What
Should be done to protect children's privacy online?
The penalty for using information on minors should be revokation of license and Internet
address
space in addition to criminal liabilities, and MAJOR fines.
Question 6: Do you think that if industry adopts all of these measures that your privacy will be
protected? Would you rather see government make laws to regulate privacy on the Internet?
The government can't find it's collective butt with both hands and a pictogram. I have
absolutely
no confidence in the federal government to so anything on my behalf. Industry should be made
to
create industry wide standards that protect privacy to the maximum (including information usage
by law enforcement). Those standards should be published and violators of the standards should
be punished and
banished from commercial use of the Internet and made to pay fines to be used to facilitate the
improvement of standards.
Question 7: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
I do NOT provide any type of account number information over the internet as I deem it to
be an insecure medium as does the government (even with encryption).
Question 8: What experiences have you encountered online in which privacy has been an issue?
Absolutely. Data is data no matter what the form. It should all be protected from unauthorized
usage period.
Question 9: Other Comments:
Basically, I have more fear of information usage by the federal government and it's agencies
than
I do of commercial entities. At some point in the future, encryption technology will be available
widely enough that will warrant safe usage of the Internet for commercial transactions, as it
stands
now, it is not secure. Any person with an commercially available network sniffer and a $10,000
server
can obtain all kinds of information, account numbers, passwords etc. It is very easy. Encryption
is the only
way to ensure privacy from intrusion on the network.
###