When you travel online, you often leave a digital "footprint" wherever you go. This is especially true if you shop online or engage in other activities, like chat sessions and newsgroups, where information such as your e-mail address can be obtained and used to promote products and services. You should understand your online privacy rights so that you can make informed decisions about when you may want to provide information about yourself.

Some consumers may be willing to share information about themselves in exchange for access to an Internet site. However, other users want a greater degree of privacy. Protecting Your Privacy When You Go Online offers advice to consumers who want to know how to safeguard their privacy interests online. Project OPEN's "protecting privacy" initiative will help consumers understand how to hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on their electronic doorknob.

Issue Sponsors

NYNEX Corporation has joined with Project OPEN to sponsor consumer information about online privacy. NYNEX provides a full range of communications services to more than 12 million customers in the northeastern United States and selected markets around the world. The company has expertise in telecommunications, wireless communications, cable televisions, directory publishing, video entertainment, and information network and delivery services.

Other Resources

ISA Online Solicitation Guidelines and Related Privacy Documents
Presented in connection with the Federal Trade Commission's Workshop on Consumer Privacy and Global Information Infrastructure, June 4-5, 1996

The Interactive Services Association's Guidelines for Online Services on the Renting of Subscriber Mailing Lists offers guidelines for online services to follow if they rent their subscriber mailing lists to third parties.

Subscribers should check with their online service for details on its privacy policies.