Novell says software offers plenty privacy
By Bloomberg News
Special to CNET News.com
April 21, 1999, 9:15 a.m. PT
WASHINGTON--Novell software that gives Internet users control of their personal information online makes new federal privacy
laws unnecessary, a Novell official said.
Novell's "Digital Me" software, which the Provo, Utah-based company plans to start selling this year, lets consumers create digital identities,picking what information to reveal to Web sites, Novell vice president Mike Sheridan said in testimony prepared for a Senate panel holding hearings on the issue.
Lawmakers are considering whether industry efforts at self-regulation and new technologies are enough to protect
consumers' online privacy. Several lawmakers fear the growth of e-commerce will slow if Internet users don't feel
secure online and have introduced privacy bills with penalties for Web sites that don't comply.
"Only after we have given commercial technology and self-regulation a chance to work should we turn to government
intervention," Sheridan said. "It is too early to make a judgment about the need for privacy legislation."
The new Novell software allows users to create different online identities. Web sites will only "see" information
contained in the identity. A user could give airline Web sites information including frequent-flyer numbers and use other
data at a bank Web site. It also could block a Web site from collecting any information.
Clinton administration officials favor a hands-off approach by government, supporting industry self-regulatory efforts
such as the Online Privacy Alliance, BBBOnLine, and Truste, programs backed by companies like America Online
and Yahoo.
Shares of Novell fell .13 to 21.38 in early trading.
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