It is important to note that many companies are players at multiple layers. Let me put those figures in perspective. The Internet economy is becoming as essential to American life as the automobile. And, unfortunately, it is also a new and fertile field for those who prey on consumers with scams, deceit and outright thievery.
Consumers have to be accountable and bear some level of responsibility for their actions.
Government can play a positive role by educating consumers and businesses and by appropriate and rational attempts to minimize deception, unfairness and misleading practices. When the FTC finds abuses, the Commission should take legal action against the offenders. The FTC's traditional law enforcement role against deceptive or unfair practices is an appropriate way for government to intervene, as long as we do not over-stretch our authority or impose ourselves improperly and unnecessarily. Contrary to its stated policy, Geocities permitted the information to be used for purposes such as target marketing by third parties. Accordingly, the Commission alleged that the company engaged in deceptive acts or practices in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act.