Is Electronic Privacy Achievable?
Abstract
While secrecy and integrity policies are most often crafted for the protection of corporate information, privacy policies are crafted for the protection of information for and about individuals. The purpose of this panel was to focus on how new technologies are affecting privacy. Technologies that might adversely affect privacy were identified by Rein Turn at previous symposia: electronic funds transfer records; electronic mail monitoring tools; automated home services, including e-commerce and information on request; home monitoring services for security, health, and energy management; use of smart cards; mobile computers in the transportation system; and implanted medical and locating devices. Despite the historical lack of support for privacy research on the part of government, military, and industry, it is encouraging to see recent developments in theory, techniques, and products to support privacy. The authors recognize three camps of new technology that are relevant to the privacy debate: privacy-enhancing technology, information-accumulating technology, and investigatory technology. For this panel, they invited representatives from the first and third camps. The panelists were encouraged to engage in a technical discussion as to whether electronic privacy is achievable, rather than a philosophical or political discussion. The discussion was initiated as a pseudo debate. Proponents were asked to make a specific proposition regarding the privacy properties of a particular technology, i.e., how their product or technique works. The opponents were asked to question the effectiveness of the privacy mechanisms. The debate was intended to shed some light on new privacy technologies and their ability to provide personal privacy in the information age.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA483982
Entities
People
- Cynthia E. Irvine
- Timothy E. Levin
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School