The following is a comprehensive library of privacy resources and references -- organizations, projects, publications, databases. Feel free to contact us with additions and suggestions.

CDT Resources

The Center for Democracy and Technology is dedicated to promoting the democratic potential of today's open, decentralized global Internet. Our mission is to conceptualize, develop, and implement public policies to preserve and enhance free expression, privacy, open access, and other democratic values in the new and increasingly integrated communications medium. CDT provides a wide range of resources in our areas of focus:

• Free Expression,
• Information Privacy,
• Electronic Surveillance and Cryptography,
• Online Democracy,
• Development of Technical Standards,
• Advocacy in the Regulatory Process,
• Mobilizing Grassroots Participation, and
• International Activism.
  

As growing numbers of school and home computers gained networking capacity, parents, legislators, and privacy advocates expressed increasing concern regarding kids' privacy on the Internet. In 1998, Congress passed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in order to protect children's personal information from its collection and misuse by commercial Web sites. COPPA seeks to protect kids' privacy while ensuring that their ability to speak, seek out information, and publish are not adversely affected.

CDT's resource library provides numerous links to invaluable resources on kids' privacy, which include government and industry Web sites that aim to protect children's privacy on the Internet and ensure that families have safe and constructive online experiences.

Medical Privacy

Today, society is witnessing tremendous changes in both the collection and use of health information and in the environment in which it resides. The transition from fee-for-service health care to managed care has led to a demand for an unprecedented depth and breadth of personal information by a growing number of players. At the same time, the environment for information is moving rapidly from paper forms and files to electronic media, giving organizations a greater ability to tie formerly distinct information together and send it easily through different sources. Our library provides a number of links to resources that deal with the privacy of medical records.

National Privacy & Consumer Groups

A large number of diverse organizations currently work to raise public awareness of online privacy issues; some seek to heighten existing statutory and legal protections for personal privacy on the Internet. Issues of focus include Constitutional privacy protections, consumer rights, responsible industry information practices and technological initiatives. CDT's resource library provides links to dozens of national privacy organizations, coalitions and groups.

We also link to international coalitions of civil liberties and human rights organizations dedicated to protecting rights and liberties on the Internet. Members of international privacy organizations include computer professionals, academics, lawyers, journalists, jurists and human rights activists.

US Government Agencies

As the Americans' use of the Internet grew in scope and size, the United States government became increasingly interested in and concerned by the issues of online privacy. A number of federal agencies have conducted extensive studies and now regard the protection of consumer privacy as a top priority. The Clinton-Gore administration and the 106th Congress, along with state governments and the courts, actively participate in the privacy debate. CDT links to a wide range of federal agencies and government privacy initiatives.

Industry Groups

A number of industry groups and broad-based coalitions presently work to address online consumers' concerns about privacy-related issues. Companies at the forefront of the privacy debate include computer industry leaders, network marketers and advertisers, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). A number of industry groups presently seek to develop, adopt and enforce Fair Information Practices guidelines that would address the concerns of consumers, legislators and privacy advocates. Our library provides links to the key industry players and projects in the privacy arena.

Publications

CDT's resource library links to a wide variety of publications that focus on national and international privacy issues. Privacy publications and newsletters update subscribers on news, court decisions, legislation, and other developments. A number of publications provide moderated e-mail digests.

Privacy Services, Technologies and Databases

A number of companies and services have developed a wide range of solutions that prevent the tracking of your online activities and protect you against the disclosure of your personal information. We link to privacy resources that include online privacy seal programs, technology networks, databases of customer service tools, and portals that provide access to privacy articles and technologies.

"Snoop" Technologies

There are many ways that a Web server can deduce the identity of the client who visits it. A number of "browser tests" in our resource library demonstrate what information a Web site can collect about you.

Books

Our library provides links to comprehensive privacy guides and sourcebooks for students, attorneys, researchers and journalists.

Articles, Papers and Reports

We link to resources that include privacy proposals, studies, government reports and law journal articles.

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