FC: Amazon privacy policy change irks groups, from AP

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[Thanks to Ian for sending us his story. But I'm not sure why this is,
as EPIC apparently suggests in it, something that requires
congressional action. People should instead simply only shop at places
that have acceptable privacy policies. Privacy, like price, color, or
warranty, will be one more component of a transaction that consumers
consider. Besides, companies are certainly capable of writing policies
that include a we-will-not-alter-this-paragraph-without-your-consent
section, and I predict they will if consumers truly care about
privacy. Executives have every reason (making money) to please their
customers, and more incentive than ever: there's not that much brand
loyalty online. --Declan]

*********

From: "D. Ian Hopper" <ihopper () ap org> 
To: <declan () well com> 
Subject: Groups Criticize Amazon Policy 
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2000 19:33:02 -0400 

Here ya go.

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20000901/tc/amazon_privacy_2.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - Consumer groups say a change in Amazon.com's privacy
policy could leave customers of the Internet retailing giant no recourse if
they don't want personal information such as credit card numbers and home
addresses passed on to some other company.

Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc., which sells a wide range of products,
including books, toys and hardware, posted a revised privacy policy on its
Web site Thursday telling customers the information they give is considered
a company asset that can be sold. A company spokeswoman, Patty Smith, said
the new policy is actually more restrictive in some cases, and better
explains what Amazon can and cannot do with customer data.




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