But we also know what a delicate balancing act that calls for. People have legitimate concerns about their personal privacy, concerns which must be balanced with the legitimate needs of companies to have access to certain information so they can better service their customers. We've already teamed up on one major research project, an analysis of the costly burden restrictive privacy laws would place on consumers. I'll talk more about the specific insights in a minute. But I want you to know how grateful I am for this partnership and all the work you and Michael have been doing on behalf of this issue.
Emotions run high when people talk about privacy.
That's why this partnership between PLI and ISEC is so vital. The transformation of the mouse from a rodent to an instrument of information and commerce is re-shaping much of society. We're never more than a mouse click or two away from the product, the service or the information we're seeking. That simple fact has changed virtually every industry in the world, and it's changing the way individuals and businesses interact. The relationship between company and customer is being re-defined and, in the views of some, threatened.