NEGATIVE — CONSUMER/INTERNET — SIGNIFICANCE� 404

PUBLIC OPINION WILL LEAD TO NEW FEDERAL PROTECTIONS

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PROTECT INTERNET PRIVACY

JOSEPH MENN, TIMES STAFF WRITER, Los Angeles Times, March 4, 2000, SECTION: Part A; Page 15; TITLE: CLINTON URGES STRONGER INTERNET PRIVACY POLICIES// acs-VT2001

Clinton's remarks suggest that further regulation of the Net, long considered anathema by most Silicon Valley leaders, could become more likely. He said that privacy fears could stunt the explosive growth of the Internet.

PUBLIC ANGER IS DRIVING NEW INTERNET PRIVACY PROPOSALS

Business Week, February 28, 2000; Pg. 174 TITLE: TIME TO MOVE ON INTERNET PRIVACY // acs-EE2001

Public anger is driving privacy legislation in state capitals and Washington. Senator Robert G. Torricelli (D-N.J.) would ban ''cookies,'' the digital ID tags that track a consumer's activity on the Web. He would also mandate that Web companies get permission before they collect personal data.

POLITICAL BACKLASH IS DEVELOPED AGAINST COOKIES

PATTI WALDMEIR, Financial Times (London), March 20, 2000, SECTION: COMMENT & ANALYSIS; Pg. 15 TITLE: When internet freedom means control: The architecture of cyberspace could compromise privacy and free speech// acs-VT2001

A political backlash is building against the use of "cookies", which allow web site operators and advertisers to track our movements in cyberspace. News that DoubleClick, the leading web advertiser, has begun linking the virtual addresses of computer users to their real- world identities and physical addresses has markedly intensified these concerns and prompted government investigations and civil litigation.

IF INTERNET COMPANIES DO NOT PROTECT PRIVACY THE GOVERNMENT WILL

Business Week, February 28, 2000; Pg. 174 TITLE: TIME TO MOVE ON INTERNET PRIVACY // acs-EE2001

Consent should be the key everywhere. If Internet companies think they can violate basic individual rights as part of their business models, they are living in a fantasy land. Unless they guarantee privacy soon, the government will step in.