Multinational Data-Privacy Laws: An Introductionfor IT Managers

Neglect of information privacy instruction

“…One study revealed that 80% of internet shoppers routinely abandon their shopping carts upon encountering the prepurchase demand for personal information. Neverthless, American business is heavily into accumulating individual information [17]. Consumer data of increasing detail and specificity drives forecasting, marketing, and product development.…”

“…Perkins and Markel argue that individuals associated with personal data are best qualified to determine what constitutes their own "benefit" regarding the sharing and use of their data, rather than having this function preempted by commerce [17]. Yet examples of that preemption abound in the privacy policies of even the most prominent companies.…”

“…Usually, we use the personal information you provide only to respond to your inquiry or to process your request (such as to receive electronic annual reports or to be added to our supplier diversity database.) This information may be shared with other GE business, but only if necessary to fulfill your request or for related purposes [17], [8] (Italics from Perkins and Markel.) Such license creates predatory privacy policies.…”

“…However, personal data do not include any information that is publicly available, such as job title, telephone number, or address." [17] E-commerce between the U.S. and the EU was positioned to be the most prominent victim of the shut-down of data flow to noncompliant countries. In 2002 U.S. imports from EU member states totaled more than $225 billion, with exports at more than $143 billion [22].…”

“…Broadly Conceived, DATA PRIVACY refers to the protection and proper use of people's personal information." [17] Therefore, it could be considered educational malpractice to ignore information and data privacy concerns, and send IT students forth into the world without at least a minimal awareness of the issues, pitfalls, and possible solutions.…”