Walt Disney Co.’s Buena Vista Internet Group (BVIG) and Infoseek Corp., home
of the GO Network, said they will no longer accept or
purchase Internet-based advertising from Web sites that don’t post clear
privacy policies.
The new policy, which applies to GO Network and Buena Vista
Internet Group Web sites including Disney.com, ESPN.com, Family.com, ABC.com and ABCNEWS.com, becomes effective Oct. 1.
Privacy policies must address the collection and use of personal information
gathered online, the companies said.
Last week, Microsoft announced that it would only
advertise on sites that post “comprehensive” privacy policies. Microsoft is
the biggest advertiser on the Web, spending more than $34 million last year
on Internet advertising.
“Since 1996, Disney has worked with various government and advocacy organizations to
develop thoughtful, responsible and comprehensive standards related to the
gathering of personal data from online consumers, particularly children,” said Steve Wadsworth, Buena Vista Internet Group president.
“We feel it is mission critical to the continued growth of the Internet that
the industry take active steps to increase consumer confidence and deliver
private-sector solutions to concerns regarding online privacy protections.”
“Consumers expect and deserve a detailed explanation of how their personal
information is being collected and used,” said Harry Motro, president and CEO
of Infoseek. “. . .we’re extending our policy to assure users a consistent level
of privacy consideration throughout their GO Network experience.”
BVIG and Infoseek said they will not dictate the contents of the privacy
policies, except
to ensure that they follow the recommended guidelines of the Online Privacy
Alliance.
