Daily updates on privacy stories in the news.

« EP Writes Echelon Report | Main | EPIC Files Complaint Against eTour.com »

FTC Rejects Amazon Privacy Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission has rejected the requests of EPIC and Junkbusters Corp to investigate Amazon.com, a leading online bookseller. EPIC and Junkbusters Corp alleged that Amazon engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices in December 2000 after the company changed its privacy policy. Under the old privacy policy, Amazon promised never to sell customers� data. In the revised privacy policy, Amazon reserves the right to sell customer data in the future. The FTC found that the company did not materially violate its privacy policy.

FTC Letter to EPIC and Junkbusters Corp, EPIC Web Site.
Amazon and Privacy, Junkbusters Web Site.
FTC: Amazon privacy switch didn't break law, ZDNet (Reuters), May 25, 2001.
Amazon Wins Privacy Victory, Internetnews, May 25, 2001.
FTC Clears Amazon Privacy Policy, Seattle Times, May 26, 2001.
FTC Halts Probe of Amazon, San Francisco Chronicle, May 26, 2001.
EPIC Ends Relationship with Amazon, Press Release, EPIC Web Site, September 13, 2001.