Case Study II

source of case:

• Bettleheim, Adril. "Digital Commerce." CQ Researcher. Feb. 5, 1999 : 89-112.
• http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1998/9808/geocitie.htm
  (Internet Site Agrees to Settle FTC Charges of Deceptively Collecting Personal Information in Agency's First Internet Privacy Case) &
• http://www.beck.de/mmr/archivalt/mmr9811/Aktuell/seite9.htm &
• http://www.directmag.com/content/newsline/1998/1998081403.HTM
  (FTC Accuses Internet Co. GeoCities Of Violating Privacy Trust, Aug, 14 1998)

FTC Accused GeoCities of Violating Privacy Trust

On 13.8.1998 and In the first case involving Internet privacy laws before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC announced that the popular GeoCities --a provider of free home pages on the Internet with over 2 million members, Santa Monica, CA-- delibraetly released personal details about its customers, including children, to third parties (advertisers) in violation of its own promises. GeoCities is among the top 10 most frequently visited places on the Internet.

GeoCities agreed to rewrite its privacy statement and post it on its Web site, explaining what information it collects and how it distributes it.

Also GeoCities will obtain parental permission before collecting any personal data from children 12 and under.

for furthur details please refer to the links above.