Microsoft Voices Support for P3P Technology

Microsoft Corp. joined the Electronic Frontier Foundation in voicing support for a new privacy technology aimed at bolstering consumer confidence in the fair handling of personal information consumers provide to Web sites. The technology, called Privacy Preference Project, or P3P, is designed to simplify the way privacy policies on Web sites can be created, publicized and policed by Web surfers and industry watchdog organizations. Polls have found that privacy is the No. 1 concern of people using the Internet. However, less than 20% of Web sites actually post their privacy policies, says the Federal Trade Commission. Today, attendees at the 14th annual Computers, Freedom and Privacy conference in Washington are expected to hear Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) propose another initiative to bolster privacy on the Net: legislation that would establish an electronic bill of rights for Web surfers.