Tim, I find it ironic that in a document titled Privacy Choices, you seem to conclude that users should have privacy forced upon them, and that they are not equipped to make any choices for themselves. I actually agree with much of your thesis, even that opt-in is not an appropriate mode for privacy even for Public Information in most situations. However, you seem to deliberately ignore another obvious possible mode for privacy that would still allow users a choice, opt-out. Additionally, while you make it clear privacy is important, which I agree it is very important. However, you do not seem recognize that privacy is not universally more important than every other consideration. For me as an individual other considerations might be more important, at least in some situations. I'll raise just one example here, what about accessibility, in an ideal would no one should have to trade privacy for there basic right to access information in a form that they can consume it. However, in the real world these kinds of trade-offs unfortunately are forced on individuals. You think society ignores privacy, take a look at the world from the view of a person with disabilities, and you will see how much society can really ignore an issue. So, while privacy is very important, please make room for the idea that it is not always the most important issue, at least in every situation or for every individual. I think if you gave serious consideration to opt-out privacy model at least in some situations, I could possibly support a document along these lines. In so many ways we don't live is a one size fits all world, even for something as important as privacy. Thanks. -- =============================================== David Farmer Email: farmer@xxxxxxx Office of Information Technology University of Minnesota 2218 University Ave SE Phone: +1-612-626-0815 Minneapolis, MN 55414-3029 Cell: +1-612-812-9952 =============================================== |