From: David Banisar <Banisar@washofc.cpsr.org>
Subject: CPSR Recommends NREN Privacy Principles
Organization: Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1992 17:13:58 GMT




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PRESS RELEASE
  
July 24, 1992
  
CPSR Recommends NREN Privacy Principles


   WASHINGTON, DC -- Computer Professionals for Social 
Responsibility (CPSR), a national public interest 
organization, has recommended privacy guidelines for the 
nation's computer network. 

   At a hearing this week before the National Commission on 
Library and Information Science, CPSR recommended a privacy 
policy for the National Research and Education Network or 
"NREN."  Marc Rotenberg, Washington Director of CPSR, said 
"We hope this proposal will get the ball rolling.  The 
failure to develop a good policy for the computer network 
could be very costly in the long term."
  
   The National Commission is currently reviewing comments 
for a report to the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
on the future of the NREN. 

   Mr. Rotenberg said there are several reasons that the 
Commission should address the privacy issue.  "First, the 
move toward commercialization of the network is certain to 
exacerbate privacy concerns.  Second, current law does not do 
a very good job of protecting computer messages.  Third, 
technology won't solve all the problems."
  
   The CPSR principles are (1) protect confidentiality, (2) 
identify privacy implications in new services, (3) limit 
collection of personal data, (4) restrict transfer of 
personal information,(5) do not charge for routine privacy 
protection, (6) incorporate technical safeguards, (7) develop 
appropriate security policies, and (8) create an enforcement 
mechanism.

   Professor David Flaherty, an expert in telecommunications 
privacy law, said "The CPSR principles fit squarely in the 
middle of similar efforts in other countries to promote 
network services.  This looks like a good approach."

   Evan Hendricks, the chair of the United States Privacy 
Council and editor of Privacy Times, said that the United 
States is "behind the curve" on privacy and needs to catch up 
with other countries who are already developing privacy 
guidelines.  "The Europeans are racing  forward, and we've 
been left with dust on our face."

   The CPSR privacy guidelines are similar to a set of 
principles developed almost 20 years ago called The Code of 
Fair Information practices.  The Code was developed by a 
government task force that included policy makers, privacy 
experts, and computer scientists.  The Code later became the 
basis of the United States Privacy Act.

   Dr. Ronni Rosenberg, who has studied the role of computer 
scientists in public policy, said that  "Computer 
professionals have an important role to play in privacy 
policy. The CPSR privacy guidelines are another example of 
how scientists can contribute to public policy."

   CPSR is a membership organization of over 2500 professionals in 
the technology field. For more information about the Privacy Policies 
and how to join CPSR, contact CPSR, P.O. Box 717, Palo Alto CA 94302.  
415/322-3778 (tel) and 415/322-3798 (fax) or email at
cpsr@csli.stanford.edu.

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