NEGATIVE CONSUMER/INTERNET SOLVENCY 412
OPT-IN IS BETTER THAN OPT-OUT
OPT IN DATA COLLCTION IS SUPERIOR TO OPT OUT METHODS
ESTHER DYSON, edits the technology newsletter Release 1.0, Los Angeles Times March 20, 2000, SECTION: Business; Part C; Page 3; TITLE: CONTROL OF PRIVATE DATA BELONGS IN HANDS OF CONSUMERS, NOT VENDORS // acs-VT2001
So the ability to get removed--to "opt-out"--wasn't very meaningful. Many people (I'm among them) think that "opt-in" makes more sense. The user has to ask explicitly to be included.
OPT IN IS BETTER THAN OPT OUT FOR ALL PARTIES, INCLUDING BUSINESSES AND CUSTOMERS
Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, The San Francisco Chronicle MAY 1, 2000, SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. A23; OPEN FORUM TITLE: Opt-In to Financial Privacy // acs-EE2001
Besides, common sense tells us that opt-in is the better choice even for businesses (as long as the company merely wants to sell its products and services and has no interest in making money off the sale of confidential customer data). Businesses could save millions of dollars by targeting only consumers who choose to opt-in and who are genuinely interested in the products or services the company has to offer. That would return to everyone else the right to privacy, the right to control who knows what about us and the right to be left alone.