IP: THE POST OFFICE PLANS TO DELIVER E-MAIL AS WELL: Edupage, 7 July 2000

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> The U.S. Postal Service, facing increasing pressure from
> e-commerce, is planning a number of Internet initiatives,
> including a plan to provide e-mail addresses for every person in
> the U.S.  Users would be able to track and redirect their
> traditional mail and packages using the e-mail service.  In
> addition, the service would provide e-mail notices to users to
> inform them of an incoming package.  Although the prospect of
> merging electronic and physical addresses has evoked privacy
> concerns, Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan says the Postal
> Service has always been sensitive to privacy and security issues,
> and unlike e-commerce firms, it has no interest in selling
> consumer information.  The service would include a secure digital
> mailbox that would hold e-mail as well as electronic information.
> The Postal Service plans to begin offering the service in the
> next several years.  Already, the Postal Service is involved in
> online bill paying and online mailing lists.
> (Philadelphia Inquirer, 6 July 2000)