By Beth Givens
EFF Pioneer Award
Computers, Freedom and Privacy Conference
San Francisco CA

 

I thank you - the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the judges. It is truly an honor to receive a Pioneer Award and to join the other Pioneers whom I've admired and revered for years.

 

I want to say a few words of thanks - and then briefly describe our work in terms of the larger issue of "transparency." But first - my thanks.

 

Presented at Twenty Third Annual Conference of International Data Protection Commissioners

By Beth Givens, Director
Paris, France

 

[NOTE: A shorter version of this paper was presented at the Paris Conference of the Data Protection Commissioners]
 

Esteemed Data Commissioners and fellow conference participants:

 

 Updated: April 21, 2005

An unknown individual has broadcast an electronic mail message that has reached tens of thousands of consumers, confusing them with information that is only half correct.

 

The message explains, erroneously, that as of July 1, 2003, "the four major credit bureaus in the US will be allowed . to release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers..... to anyone who requests it." This is not correct.

 

"Because we value your privacy.. we may sell your personal financial information." Does this make sense? Of course, not. But, that is precisely the message many banks and other financial companies are now sending to their customers. However, this message -- blurred by fine print, big words, long sentences and marketing jargon -- is far from clear.