The Electronic Privacy Information Center , a public interest research center, offers electronic privacy news and resources . Privacy and cyberliberties are among the ACLU 's major issues. The dispute du jour involves Pharmatrak. Privacy advocates last week accused the Boston technology firm of secretly tracking the Web habits of those who visit the sites of 11 pharmaceutical giants, including Pfizer, Pharmacia, and SmithKline Beecham. While Pharmatrak officials say they track users anonymously, the company's Web site states that in the future it may personally identify visitors.
Deception apparently begets deception.
For some surfers the solution is to do nothing. Nearly half of those online have not yet provided their real E-mail addresses, names, or other personal info to a Web site. While this lack of participation doesn't prevent Web companies from collecting data, it keeps the surfer's online profile anonymous. The study also found that few consumers use software designed to protect their online privacy. Only 5 percent of surfers have used a program that cloaks a user's identity from Web sites.