Privacy is a central
element
of the FTC's consumer protection mission. In recent years,
advances in computer technology have made it possible for
detailed information about people to be compiled and shared more
easily and cheaply than ever. That has
produced many benefits for society as a whole
and individual consumers. For example, it is easier for law
enforcement to track down criminals, for banks to prevent fraud,
and for consumers to learn about new products and services,
allowing them to make better-informed purchasing decisions. At
the same time, as personal information becomes more accessible,
each of us - companies, associations, government agencies, and
consumers - must take precautions to protect against the misuse
of our information.
The Federal Trade Commission is educating consumers and
businesses about the importance of personal information privacy,
including the security of personal information. Under the FTC
Act, the Commission guards against
unfairness
and deception by enforcing companies' privacy promises
about how they collect, use
and secure consumers' personal information. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the
Commission has implemented rules concerning
financial
privacy notices and the
administrative, technical and physical safeguarding of personal
information, and it aggressively enforces against pretexting.
The Commission also protects consumer privacy under the
Fair Credit Reporting
Act
and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
Use the topic links on the left to read more about our
efforts in each of these areas, including what we've learned,
and what you can do to protect the privacy
of your personal information.
Click to read:
The Commission’s
Privacy Agenda
Statement of Commissioner Sheila Anthony on the Commission’s
Privacy Agenda
Remarks of Chairman Timothy J. Muris at the Privacy 2001
Conference in Cleveland, Ohio
Click to visit these related areas:
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