Manufacturers Unveil Privacy Guidelines

A group of leading technology manufacturers unveiled a voluntary code of conduct to protect the privacy of people who visit their Web sites. The Information Technology Industry Council said the list of eight principles was a response to President Clinton’s call for the industry to protect privacy through self-regulation. The principles are also intended to give consumers “confidence and trust” that privacy rights will be respected when they engage in electronic commerce, he said. The council included major PC makers like Dell Computer Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp., chip makers like Intel Corp. and Motorola Inc. and manufacturers of related gear like AMP Inc and Lexmark International Group Inc. The guidelines recommend that a company notify consumers of what personal data is being collected and allow them some degree of choice over how data is used. Companies should also limit data collected to that needed for valid business reasons and ensure its accuracy and security. Several private efforts are already underway to help Web sites notify consumers of data collection and give consumers the ability to block or limit such collection and dissemination.