Internet privacy has become an important issue as more and more businesses move into the digital age and publish content online. Data that is collected by companies is becoming increasingly valuable and consumers should be more aware of how this information is being used and who is being given information. The Privacy Act passed in 1974 and was meant to protect individuals’ privacy rights and personal information. Other laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 protects healthcare information from disclosure without proper consent. Understanding privacy laws can help website and business owners avoid complaints that the company has violated the rights of its users. One way that organizations can give the website user’s notice of how their information is used is to post the privacy policy in a conspicuous place on the website or to have the users sign an agreement upon accessing the site. The more transparency that a company give about what type of information will be collected, shared and how this information will be used, the less likely to violate any privacy rights of the consumer.
The information presented in this article should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.