SIIA is the principal trade association for the software and information industry. Our companies develop products for the educational, home, consumer, corporate, enterprise and Internet markets, representing all aspects of this growing industry. Privacy is one of the most important issues facing companies engaged in electronic commerce today. Enhanced consumer awareness, political interest and industry attention have pushed privacy to the forefront of virtually every debate regarding e-commerce both in the U.S. and abroad. As technology developments have allowed online companies to provide more customized, personal and meaningful services, consumers have rightly asked what information companies collect and how that data is used.
SIIA members recognize the direct relationship between e-commerce success and consumer trust.
These elements of effective self-regulation, rarely seen just two short years ago, are now widespread and commonly used by both industry leaders and emerging businesses. While more work remains to be done, industry has clearly responded to consumer and policymaker concerns. Instead the FTC's proposal discounts the accomplishments of ongoing industry initiatives to educate consumers and develop industry best practices. Since our outreach effort began in March 1997, we have helped literally thousands of companies understand the privacy issue and the relationship between privacy and the growth of electronic commerce. In 1998, SIIA developed a seminar series that taught companies how to develop, implement and monitor good privacy practices.