It can bring benefits to all, through economic integration and the creation of jobs throughout the world. For example, Americans in San Jose e-mail their software problems to firms in Bangalore, who work on solutions and send them back to the Americans in time for breakfast. Jack Scaife Ltd, a Yorkshire family butcher, uses the Internet to sell black puddings and traditional bacon throughout the world. The UK was at the forefront of telecoms liberalisation within Europe and now has one of the most competitive markets in the world, providing a firm infrastructure underpinning on-line business. It needs to close the gap with the US which has, for example, over double the percentage of households with PCs that the UK has.
Privacy is a key concern for users.
Consumers need to be sure that such information once acquired will not be misused. The UK's statutory approach is embodied in the Data Protection Act 1984, as updated by the Data Protection Act 1998. There is a risk that some users are put off using the Internet and engaging in electronic commerce because they fear unwanted exposure to offensive content. The priority for the UK is to empower consumers to control their own experience of the Internet. The UK Government is encouraging parents to use the filtering tools available in the latest Internet browsers.