Why Internet Privacy Matters to Consumer - Essay Example

Many consumers are concerned that their personal information is accessed and monitored by different companies. According to a poll released by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 72 percent are concerned that their online behaviors were being tracked and profiled by companies, while 82 percent of consumers are concerned about their credit card numbers being stolen online. A vast majority of consumers want to have control over what information is being monitored by Internet companies and want to have more control over their private information.

At the same time, Internet companies argue saying that the Internet is a public space. Suggesting that the internet is a public space means that the consumers should know what kind of information is being monitored. Many companies argue that using data-monitoring and data tracking software is useful in building better products for consumers. "The definition of the Internet as fully public rather than semiprivate is an important distinction to make since legal opinion tends to be built on the reasonable expectations that individuals have about how their information will be handled" (Cronin 4).

Internet privacy is a big concern these days though consumers have had issues with privacy long before the online business module became popular. Today it is easier for a website operator to collect visitor information than configure a web server not collect a consumer's information. The demand for data collection and data analysis is growing day by day. It is not only personal information that's a concern but also information about user activity being monitored, that troubles the consumers. It is important for a consumer to know what kind of information is being monitored.

When a consumer visits a website he is unaware that every click he makes is being monitored. Consumers today demand that they should be informed beforehand when they activities on a particular website are being monitored. It is important to achieve a balance between the interests of online companies and the consumer. It is important that the consumer has a final say about their personal data.Many consumers are looking forward to seeing how well privacy-enhancing tools and self-regulatory tools will address Internet privacy concerns of the consumer.

It is important to see whether the balance between the consumers' privacy and the information needed by online companies is achieved.