US: Internet privacy

Some 50 American companies have drawn up proposals concerning Internet privacy rules, to which they plan to adhere voluntarily in an effort to stave off the imposition of legislation. The Online Privacy Alliance will include guidelines for current and future members concerning notice and disclosure, which will require members to inform consumers when information is gathered and to what purpose that information might be used. Currently, devices known as “cookies” can be used to track Internet users as they move from one web site to another. The decision by the OPA has been taken in advance of a Commerce Department report on this subject. This report is due to be submitted to the White House later in July. It is forecast that it will recommend legislative action.