NETWORK ADVERTISING INITIATIVE ENGAGES TRUSTe FOR THIRD-PARTY PRIVACY OVERSIGHT AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

San Francisco, CA – August 8, 2002 – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today announced that it had settled charges against Microsoft, a TRUSTe seal holder, for disclosures regarding privacy and security in its privacy statement. The FTC's action supports TRUSTe's mission of helping companies that collect personal information protect consumer privacy.

We are glad that the overall process of oversight -- by government, advocates and TRUSTe -- uncovered what we all agree to be very complex issues in the rapidly changing landscape.

As one of our seal holders, Microsoft worked with TRUSTe to adopt privacy best practices and respond to the FTC's investigation, swiftly making needed changes in both disclosure and practices. Microsoft recently became certified under the TRUSTe Children's Privacy Seal Program.

Privacy is clearly one of the most challenging issues facing enterprises today. TRUSTe continues to work with companies to help them better understand the complexities of an evolving regulatory framework, drive the adoption of full disclosure and choice in privacy practices, and provide solutions that address privacy for consumers throughout the networked world.

About TRUSTe
TRUSTe is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to enabling individuals and organizations to establish trusting relationships based on respect for personal identity and information in the evolving networked world.

Founded in 1997, TRUSTe runs an award-winning global privacy certification and seal program. Its seal programs are considered Safe Harbors for the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the EU Safe Harbor Framework. Today, TRUSTe maintains the largest privacy seal program with more than 1,400 Web sites certified throughout the world including AOL, Microsoft, IBM, Nationwide and The New York Times. TRUSTe's mission extends standards, certification and oversight into email with Bonded Sender and wireless with the Wireless Advisory Committee. For more information on TRUSTe please visit www.truste.org.

###

 

IAPP