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Home > Press > Press Releases > Data Protection for Websites and Intranets
1st December 2003
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FreePint Publishes Timely Report on Data Protection Online
New European legislation on privacy and electronic communications
takes effect in the UK from December 11th. The new regulations apply
to the use of online public directories with telephone numbers,
addresses or email addresses. They also apply to such activities as
the use of invisible tracking devices like cookies or web bugs, and
the use of electronic communication for direct marketing purposes. The
Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003
(SI 2003/2426) have a direct impact on the use and transfer of
electronic personal data.
A timely new report, "Data Protection for Websites and Intranets" by
Paul Pedley, is published by FreePint. It is essential reading for
anyone working with electronic information as it explains how data
protection laws specifically deal with web sites, Intranets and online
services. It is available to purchase online at
<www.freepint.com/shop/report> price GBP30.
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Plain English
As more information is being transferred from paper documents into
digital form, it is important to know where you stand. "Data
Protection for Websites and Intranets" from FreePint explains the
legal framework in plain English. It deals with such issues as: how
to draw up privacy policy statements for web sites; data transfer
between countries; the differences between personal and sensitive
personal data; and the thorny issue of employee email monitoring. The
report also provides very practical data protection checklists and
case studies.
Web sites and corporate Intranets often contain personal data in the
form of directories of staff or clients, biographical information,
contacts and photographs. They may also use online registration forms
and use a variety of methods to track or process personal data.
Security Breaches
The report reveals that the cost to businesses of not acting
responsibly over the way it processes personal data can run to
millions if there are breaches in security. A case reported by Fortune
magazine in March 2001 resulted in a large US bank paying millions to
settle a complaint that it sold social security numbers and home phone
numbers to telemarketers.
Privacy Statements Crucial
A report by the University of Manchester Institute of Science and
Technology reveals that 42% of Internet sites do not post any form of
privacy statement. Pedley emphasises the importance of careful
planning and placing of a privacy notice on your web site. It is
crucial in governing what you are entitled to do with any data you may
have.
Controlling Unwanted Spam Email
The very act of using the web exposes users to potential monitoring
and profiling and it is quite clear that this type of information does
have a commercial value in terms of an individual's hobbies,
preferences and consumer behaviour.
The report outlines the laws on the use of email for direct marketing.
A study undertaken several years ago by the European Commission found
that junk email was costing Internet users Euros10 billion. Users were
paying connection charges to download unwanted spam. This was before
the menace of spam had become as prolific as it is now. A useful tip
in the report, is for users to register free with the Direct Marketing
Association email preference service to control the amount of spam
they receive.
Employee Monitoring
The ability for employees to send emails around the world at the touch
of a button comes with potential problems. Monitoring without consent,
for example, can be done where there is a suspicion of criminal
behaviour. Also, individual employees actions could result in the
attraction of negative publicity for a company, or increased liability
on grounds of defamation or racial or sexual harassment.
Solutions to International Data Protection
In today's environment of global information exchange, Pedley calls
for an international solution to data protection. He believes that
what is required is an international convention, enforced by an
international organisation in the same way that the World Intellectual
Property Organisation is responsible for the Berne Copyright
convention.
Pedley says, "Transfer of data is not necessarily the deliberate export
of data. Placing personal data on the web makes that information
available to anyone around the world who has access to the Internet"
Notes for Editors
Data Protection for Websites and Intranets. Paul Pedley. FreePint
2003. Is available for purchase and immediate delivery online priced
GBP30 from <www.freepint.com/shop/report/>.
If you would like to review Data Protection for Websites and Intranets
ISBN 1-904769-02-0 please contact Annabel Colley for a press copy.
Paul Pedley
Head of Research at the Economist Intelligence Unit, and editor of
KeepingLegal.com, a service covering daily updates on legal issues
such as copyright, data protection, and freedom of information.
Paul is the author of many books including Essential Law for
Information Professionals, The Invisible Web: Searching the Hidden
Parts of the Internet and Copyright for Library and Information. He
is fellow of CILIP (The Chartered Institute of Library and
Information Professionals) He also runs training on copyright, data
protection and freedom of information and on business information on
the Web. He has worked in Information Management for law firm Theodore
Goddard, and for the DTI and OFTEL.
FreePint
Established in 1997 and now with more than 60,000 subscribers
worldwide, FreePint is the largest community of information searchers
in the world. It grows by 1,000 new subscribers every month. FreePint
is a free email newsletter, Web portal and online discussion area (the
FreePint Bar). The newsletter is packed with tips and articles on
using the Internet for work and serious research. In the six years
since FreePint's launch, our expert consultant authors have helped
business users find reputable Web sources on a very diverse range of
topics - aviation, charities, military history, marketing, law and
finance FreePint also publishes information-related jobs, book
reviews, events and interviews with key industry figures. It
commissions and sells original research reports, and hosts interactive
exchange seminars on hot topics like search engines, knowledge
management and electronic copyright.
FreePint's sister company Willco Limited at
provides modular community hosting technology to online communities
and member- oriented Web sites. Willco technology runs the FreePint
site and over 50 other network sites. Willco also provides the popular
URL shortening service DigBig.com.
PRESS CONTACT: Annabel Colley. To set up interviews with FreePint
Managing Editor William Hann or Paul Pedley contact Annabel Colley,
email or call 07730 972733
Useful Addresses
http://www.freepint.com
http://www.Willco.com
http://www.vivaVIP.com
http://www.DigBig.com
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