Since posting "Privacy gains attention over the Christmas New Year break. Does a swallow or two make a Spring? [0]", there has been another swallow of sorts.
But not everybody has been watching or maybe it is typical Spring weather.
First, the swallow. In "Ten digital trends to watch out for in 2008 [1]" at E-consultancy.com [2], Prediction No 2 was that "Privacy will continue to be a sensitive issue" after a Facebook user was banned for exporting his "friends'" data without their permission to his address book at Plaxo [3]. But Prediction No 9 was that "Behavioural targetting will become more widespread - and something which is expected". This won't please everybody interested in their privacy, as became clear at the US Federal Trade Commission's [4] "Town Hall" meeting entitled "Ehavioral Advertising: Tracking, Targeting, and Technology". [5]
But are folks listening? Have a look at "Global TMT companies treading water when it comes to security and privacy [6]", released by Deloitte on 7 January.
Their cautious conclusions included the observation that
"According to the survey, a small percentage ... (17%) ..." of privacy officers in Technology, Media & Telecommunications companies report to the CEO or Board. This suggested "that many of the surveyed TMT companies do not view privacy as a strategic business issue."
Deloitte goes onto observe, though, that
"Yet the privacy issue seems to be growing in importance. According to the survey, many TMT companies (44 percent) acknowledge that their privacy program is just starting to get staffed and organized."
They also remark that influential drivers with respect to privacy include reputation & brand, regulation, potential liabilities and information sharing with affiliates & other third parties.
Let's be charitable: Like any Spring, it would seem that the weather is a bit unpredictable.
Malcolm
Malcolm Crompton is Managing Director of Information Integrity Solutions (IIS) [7], a globally connected company that works with public sector and private sector organisations to help them build customer trust through respect for the customer and their personal information.