CNN - Special Report: Privacy on the Line -
Matthew Barrera
Published Apr 11, 2026
Part One: Privacy on the Line
Point and click. More and more, the Internet is the way we communicate, shop, bank, invest and research.
| Worried about privacy online? You should be, according to CNN's Gina London. | ||
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As of April 1999, 40 percent of Americans over age 16 were online, according to IntelliQuest.com.
That's 83 million people, up from 66 million the same time last year.
But all these people enjoying the convenience of the Web may not realize that every time they log on, personal information can be gathered.
Harry Smoak, site manager for the Internet service provider Mindspring, says people aren't aware of how much information they give away.
"They're still getting used to the idea that when you call someone that your telephone number is carried across that telephone line, much less that you may know where my house is now. Or who my Web service provider is. Or how many times I've been to this Web site. Or what pages I've looked at. Or what pictures I've looked at," says Smoak.
Web sites may also try to get personal information by encouraging users to sign up for free services or sweepstakes.
Even sites with posted privacy policies may not be safe.
The Federal Trade Commission recently accused two sites -- GeoCities and YoungInvestors.com -- of not adhering to their posted privacy policies.
Both companies have agreed to make changes. But what about other sites?
"Internet users are not aware of how much information is being disclosed out there," says Jerry Berman of the Center for Democracy and Technology.
Privacy concerns don't end with Web pages. They also extend into email.
Smoak says email is, in effect, a plain text document that anyone can intercept, modify, and send on its way.
Even deleting email doesn't guarantee it's gone.
John Jessen is the president and CEO of Electronic Evidence Discovery Inc. This firm specializes in finding email and other digital information people thought they had trashed.
"For all intents and purposes, when you delete, you're simply masking it so that you can't see it anymore. But with the right tools, you can get to that," he says.
As privacy concerns grow, so does the fight to protect Internet users.
In recent months, legislation has been introduced in Congress calling for changes.
And consumer advocacy groups are taking action in hopes of protecting Internet users.
It's these and other developments that have some asking -- is privacy online.. on the line?
