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To: Cheeky Kid who wrote (3604)	11/20/1998 2:36:00 AM
From: Kid Rock	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 32871

Is it just a weird coincidence that my IP address is also XXX.XX.XXX.XX and my password is also XXXXXXX?? WOW

To: Cheeky Kid who wrote (3604)	11/20/1998 11:20:00 AM
From: Cheeky Kid	Respond to of 32871

Privacy Advocates Hammer Microsoft This From: CNET News.com, November 19, 1998 news.com Privacy advocates hammer Microsoft news.com By Jim Hu Staff Writer, CNET News.com Privacy advocates seem to never forget. Three days after Microsoft [ microsoft.com ] at Comdex called for companies to adopt online privacy policies, privacy watchdogs are accusing the software giant of hypocrisy. Advocates such as Jason Catlett, president of anti-spam group Junkbusters [ junkbusters.com ], today pointed out historical examples of what he said were Microsoft's violations of consumer privacy. Of Microsoft's violations in the past, Catlett noted that WebTV webtv.com ] was receiving information about family viewing habits through the Internet; and Hotmail [ hotmail.com ], its Web-based email subsidiary, was unwittingly revealing users' account names to other Web sites. In addition, Catlett criticized Microsoft for acquiring ad banner network LinkExchange [ linkexchange.com ], which gives the company access to millions of "cookies," digital tags that stay on a Web user's computer and track where that person surfs. LinkExchange uses cookies to track individual users, who are tagged every time they visit a site in the LinkExchange network. By doing this, LinkExchange--and now Microsoft--can obtain detailed information about surfers' habits. Some privacy advocates argue that this is an invasion of privacy, especially because surfers aren't warned that cookies are being planted and then information shared. But others argue the practice is harmless because unless a user volunteers his or her name, LinkExchange and its membership companies never know it. "Microsoft now controls so much personal information about consumers that its empire poses a major threat to privacy," Catlett said in a statement. "It must break from its history of invasive practices and make a real commitment to consumers." Microsoft disputes the charges. "WebTV does not do this, and does not have ability to do this," said spokesman Tom Pilla. He added that, like other Web companies, WebTV tracks aggregate surfing information to track where its users go within the site. The issue at hand also involves Microsoft's call for companies to adopt policies outlined by the Online Privacy Alliance. But privacy advocates said those policies are insufficient to protect consumers. "The Privacy Alliance's guidelines are more public relations than privacy protection," said David Banisar, Policy Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, in a statement. "Under the guidelines, companies have nearly unlimited ability to disclose personal information to other companies without real consent, while not even allowing consumers access to their own information," Banisar stated. "To compound the problem, there is no impartial mechanism to enforce what little protections the guidelines promise." Microsoft maintained that its association with the OPA is an an example of its commitment to online privacy. "Microsoft has been and continues to be very committed to the protection of people's information it the online world," said Pilla. "Evidence of our long-term commitment to privacy includes Microsoft's online sites have privacy statements one click away from their front page screen. These statements outline what personal information are collected, how it is used, and how users can opt out of additional use of information." Related news stories: -New Internet adviser coming to Commerce November 18, 1998 news.com -Microsoft shuts site--IDs exposed October 26, 1998 news.com -Privacy bill passes Senate panel October 1, 1998 news.com -Summit on Net, telecom issues August 19, 1998 news.com