Document Type

Closed Project

Publication Date

Fall 2001

Instructor

Dundar Kocaoglu

Course Title

Management of Engineering and Technology

Course Number

EMGT 520/620

Subjects

Internet--United States, Right of privacy -- United States -- Regulatory aspects, Cookies (Computer science), Electronic commerce, Consumer protection, Data mining -- Industrial applications

Abstract

Internet technologies have enabled people and companies to extend communication capabilities far beyond any geographical and political boundaries. Such capabilities have enabled companies to create new sales channels as well as new means to track and extract consumers purchasing habits and preferences. These new capabilities and activities raise several critical issues about consumer choice and privacy.

A short survey was conducted to identify consumers knowledge and concerns with regards to online profiling as well as identify whether regulations are necessary to protect consumers interests. The survey revealed that Internet users are wary of their privacy and many are concerned about misuse of personal information. The survey leads us to conclude that an appropriate regulatory framework must be implemented to address consumers concerns and to gain consumer confidence in this new marketplace.

In a rapidly growing industry such as the Internet the proposed framework will need to be sufficiently flexible to simultaneously promote technological innovation and consumer choice. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has identified self-regulation as the preferred approach to regulate this industry.

Effective implementation of self-regulation poses several challenges. This paper outlines some of these issues. Based on our observations, recommendations are made with regards to industry strategies and policies that need to be adopted in order to address consumer concerns and ensure the success of self-regulation.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Comments

This project is only available to students, staff, and faculty of Portland State University

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/24356

Download

Share

COinS