Science & Technology Law, Civil Rights - United States, Intellectual Property Law - General & Miscellaneous, Civil Rights - Privacy

Privacy in the Information Age

Name: Privacy in the Information Age
Author: Harry Henderson
ISBN: 9780816056972

by Harry Henderson

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Overview

Just as computers make it possible to accumulate vast amounts of information about every individual in our society, they also make it easy to transmit, sort, and analyze this data. In our complex society, it is indeed necessary to maintain detailed information about many aspects of our daily lives. Nevertheless, as awareness of the extent of information gathering and the risks it poses grows, the fate of privacy has become a pressing concern.Privacy in the Information Age explores the issues raised by the burgeoning collection and distribution of personal information, including:

Who owns personal information, such as name, address, and phone number?

Does a person have the right to decide who will get information and what may be done with it?

Who is responsible when erroneous information leads to a loan or health insurance being denied, or a person arrested by mistake?

Can consumers protect themselves from intrusions, such as junk mail or Internet "spam?"

What limits should be set on the ability of law enforcement, government agenies, or employers to electronically monitor people and record data about them?

Synopsis

Just as computers make it possible to accumulate vast amounts of information about every individual in our society, they also make it easy to transmit, sort, and analyze this data. In our complex society, it is indeed necessary to maintain detailed information about many aspects of our daily lives. Nevertheless, as awareness of the extent of information gathering and the risks it poses grows, the fate of privacy has become a pressing concern.Privacy in the Information Age explores the issues raised by the burgeoning collection and distribution of personal information, including:

•Who owns personal information, such as name, address, and phone number?

•Does a person have the right to decide who will get information and what may be done with it?

•Who is responsible when erroneous information leads to a loan or health insurance being denied, or a person arrested by mistake?

•Can consumers protect themselves from intrusions, such as junk mail or Internet "spam?"

•What limits should be set on the ability of law enforcement, government agenies, or employers to electronically monitor people and record data about them?

Library Journal

In a world in which information on individuals is available quickly, cheaply, and easily, interest in privacy rights is growing. Both theoretical and practical, this book does a creditable job of surveying the topic by providing an overview of the issues, a survey of the applicable laws and court cases, a chronology, and an extensively annotated bibliography. The chapter titled "How To Research Privacy Issues" is a comprehensive pathfinder, complete with search strategy tips and URLs for web-based searching. Librarians will like the section on organizations and agencies that directs users to associations with an interest in privacy rights. The entries here include the requisite name, address, and phone number as well as the organization's URL and e-mail address and a description of purpose. An important resource for any library in which privacy issues are investigated.--Joan Pedzich, Harris, Beach & Wilcox, Rochester, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

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Editorials

Library Journal

Booknews

Some would say that a half page or so would cover the subject entirely, but Henderson, a technical writer, is concerned not so much with personal privacy itself as the lack of it, the implications for individuals, and the measures to slow its further erosion. He explores who owns personal information, whether people have the right to decide who gets information and what they do with it, who is responsible when erroneous information leads to denial of service or arrest, and other issues. Like others in the series, the volume is intended to provide facts and views to support debate. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

From The Critics

Technology makes it easy to locate information, but how much information should be accessible and to whom? Privacy in the Information Age addresses many issues, from the ownership and processing of personal data to consumer privacy and law enforcement proceedings. An essential review of privacy foundations.

Choice

An up-to-date resource on the many aspects of privacy in the information era. . .. Well organized and written in approachable style, the book is highly recommended for all levels as a reference or introductory research tool. (July/August 2000)

Lorgnette

Few books with 262 pages have so much information packed into them. Not only is this Facts On File book full of information, but some of it is also entertaining or possibly frightening...Every public or school library will find this very useful. It also might be useful as a textbook for certain law classes and a reference book for various businesses.