No abstract

“You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it.” These words by Scott McNeally, CEO of Sun Microsystems, represent one pole of opinion on the privacy protection spectrum in the global world of the World Wide Web and Internet. At the other end, some authors identify privacy as “… perhaps the most contentious and serious issue facing information and communication technology (ICT) managers …” Assessing these extreme opinions, how does a small business Web site operator determine a feasible and responsible course of action for handling personally identifiable information collected in the course of business? Theoretical and practical frameworks must reinforce privacy treatment. Mishandling of the privacy issue can disrupt both the reputation and success of an e-commerce or other Web site, threatening the return on investment for the business. This chapter explores the current developments in privacy legislation in South Africa and examines the practical issues faced by a business-to-consumer (B2C) small business Web site owner implementing an online privacy policy.

The social appropriation of Internet technologies is emerging as a research and practice field called Community Informatics (CI). Various research groups (for example Australia, UK, Canada, Latin America, Italy etc.) are contributing to Government's gradual realisation that the enabling of communities with Internet technologies can boost local economic and social development, as well as enhance personal empowerment. Civil society digital inclusion, linked with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), is now seen as a necessary component of social development strategy. However, various attempts at such initiatives have met different forms of resistance and various levels of success. Cape Technikon is establishing a research hub in Cape Town as part of the international CIRN (Community Informatics Research Network). This project will aim to establish a research, teaching and community engagement platform in Community Informatics (the social appropriation of Internet Technologies for local benefit) which will link Cape Technikon into a rapidly expanding international area of research and teaching as well as putting it into a national leadership position. Outputs will include demonstrated linkages with local, national and international Community Informatics efforts, the establishment of local projects and entities, the establishment of courses, the attraction of undergraduate and post graduate students, a profile with national and international funding agencies, publications, funding proposals, internal agency recognition in research and teaching, a program of high profile and internationally recognised visiting research fellows and academic sabbaticals. This paper discusses activities towards this South African initiative and experience elsewhere.

No abstract

No abstract