EPIC, Junkbusters Urge AGs to Protect Privacy of Amazon.com Booklists

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

EPIC and Junkbusters have sent a letter to state Attorneys General urging
them to protect records of book purchases collected by Amazon.com. Under
previous privacy policies, the company promised never to sell customer
information, but Amazon.com reneged on this guarantee, and now claims it can
sell customer records as a business asset. The letter urges the AGs to
uphold Amazon's promise to never sell personal information, to guarantee
customer access to and deletion of records, and for Amazon.com to undergo an
audit of its information practices. After Amazon.com changed its privacy
policy in September 2000, EPIC severed its relationship with the company and
filed a complaint with the FTC. For more information, see the Junkbusters
page on Amazon.com. Update: The Massachusetts Attorney General office has
responded (PDF) to the letter, and has requested comment from Amazon.com on
the access, deletion, and audit issues. (Oct. 8)

See http://www.epic.org for other links djf