The PSN will needlessly erode anonymity and facilitate the practice of collecting personal information from Web site visitors without proper notice to them and without their consent. The introduction of the all-purpose PSN threatens anonymity and undermines ongoing efforts to promote responsible and fair information practices in the online environment. It will result in increased pressure on individuals to permit the collection of the PSN, and other information that can be tied to it, as a quid pro quo of engaging in transactions and interactions online, placing a burden on individuals who choose to protect their privacy. In addition, studies have found that the collection of information and the tracking of individuals' makes individual's reluctant to participate in online life. Such tracking may have a particularly negative impact on those seeking out sensitive information.
Consumers desire stronger security for commerce and communication.
However, the PSN would have consumers sacrifice their privacy in order to gain dubious security. Technical and policy solutions must be developed that provide strong security, offer robust and varied authentication tools to support electronic commerce, and protect individual privacy and anonymity. The Pentium III PSN does not meet this standard. The privacy risks inherent in this unique ID feature outweigh the security gains Intel has stated it is intended to provide. Technically, the Pentium III does not limit who can request the PSN, how it is used or disclosed, under what conditions, or for what purposes.