Federal Privacy Commissioner Malcolm
Crompton has released guidelines for Federal government Web sites that he
believes could be applied to sites operated by companies and individuals.
“Internet privacy issues, generally, have been gaining prominence recently and a number of online surveys have indicated that privacy is a major concern of net users,” said Mr Crompton.
“The Guidelines advise agencies on
how to address the privacy issues effecting people visiting Federal and ACT government Web sites.”
While these guidelines were written with government agencies specifically
in mind, the commissioner believes that the general principles can be
applied to the private sector and supports any private organisation that
chooses adopt those principles.
Crompton believes that privacy issues are becoming increasingly
important as the Internet becomes a key medium used by the general public
to keep in touch with government.