Are Advertisers Responsible for the Actions of Their Agents?
by Alan Chapell

Relationships between online advertisers and publishers are becoming increasingly complex, with numerous intermediaries involved. But advertisers may want to pay more attention to where their ads appear. Online marketing may include third-party agents delivering ads via spyware or violating the advertiser’s privacy policy outright. And as Ken Dreifach of the New York Attorney General’s Office recently told a group of privacy professionals, if a third party is acting deceptively and advertisers benefit, they may be held liable as well. More...

Survey Shows Americans Have Mixed -- but Mostly Negative -- Feelings About Surveillance
by Larry Ponemon

A new survey from the Ponemon Institute queried Americans on their opinions about a number of surveillance practices, from government monitoring of the Internet to placing video cameras in dressing rooms. The institute also asked participants what surveillance controls they thought were most important. Not surprisingly, many of us don’t approve of wiretapping and spyware, but other common forms of surveillance, such as traffic cameras and taping of costumer-service calls, evoked mixed opinions. More...

TRUSTe Launches Its Consumer E-Newsletter

This month, TRUSTe launches The TRUSTe Watchdog, a quarterly e-newsletter designed to teach consumers Internet-privacy fundamentals and to increase the visibility of the work we do. The newsletter will be sent to subscribers who sign up through the TRUSTe Web page or the Watchdog Dispute Resolution form. Find out how your organization can use The TRUSTe Watchdog to increase the value of your TRUSTe seals. More...

KnowledgeNets Travel East

TRUSTe and IAPP’s KnowledgeNet events, networking lunches featuring a presentation on a top-of-the-fold privacy issue, have proved popular with members. Attendance continues to rise, and the number of events continues to grow -- KnowledgeNets are now being held in 25 cities in North America and Europe. In May, the KnowledgeNet Asia-Pacific tour travels to Sydney, Singapore, and Tokyo. Plus: upcoming KnowledgeNets in North America. More...