Privacy Online 2.0

The author wishes to thank Ms Rachel Zeehandelaar (University of Pennsylania, B.A. expected 2005) for her valuable research assistance in preparation of this article.

The "right to privacy" has been around since the early part of the last century. It has evolved to apply – more or less – to a disparate array of social and economic issues, ranging from the desire to avoid publicity (Time v. Hill) to abortion (Roe v. Wade). The recent explosive growth of Internet use has created its own set of privacy concerns arising from this new medium. By mid-2001, the Federal government already had these major privacy laws on the books:

• Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Privacy Act
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act