FreedomWorks Privacy Project

With the growth of the Internet, and changes in policy after 9/11, protecting privacy has become a key issue for America. CSE is working with our citizen members, the business community, and policy-makers to find the right balance to guard our security, economic growth, and individual liberty.

The Information Age brings dramatic new benefits and efficiencies, but the free flow of information also carries new challenges. What are these privacy-related challenges, and what tools exist to meet them? CSE consolidates some of these questions and resources in a simple and hopefully straight-forward manner.

Yet, today, the Internet does not present the largest threat to American privacy. Despite concern about the way businesses manage information, the most pervasive abuser of your privacy remains federal, state, and local governments. Governments already maintain massive databases of detailed, personal information-- from taxes to the census to medical records-- and new technologies like cameras and email filtering software continue to erode the privacy Americans have long recognized as our birthright.

Even worse, some of the ideas coming out of Washington regarding the war on terrorism could lead to policy changes that could threaten fundamental American freedoms.

That's why CSE launched the Privacy Project. This site is divided into three main user groups: consumers, businesses, and policymakers. The consumer section offers background on different aspects of online privacy to better educate the average web user. The business section highlights key privacy areas so that website operators can better meet their privacy responsibilities, particularly in the area of children and providing a privacy statement. Finally, the policy-maker section offers a look at some of the emerging legal and economic issues as the privacy debate continues to evolve in Washington, D.C.

Since you're visiting us on the Internet, you probably already have a basic understanding of some of the new ways privacy is an issue. Protecting yourself online requires both self-education and a sensitivity to the way you share your personal information. Before giving personal information, ask yourself: why do they need this information-- how will it be used? Is my connection to this site secure? How do I personally benefit from submitting this information?

CSE's Privacy Project aims to give consumers a number of tools to help raise your awareness and manage your privacy online. We think you'll find our sections on Guidelines and Useful Software particularly helpful.