Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Online Privacy Alliance?

A: The Online Privacy Alliance is a cross-industry coalition of more than 80 global companies and associations committed to promoting the privacy of individuals online. The Alliance is an ad hoc organization. Its sole purpose is to work over the coming year to define privacy policy for the new electronic medium and to foster an online environment that respects consumer privacy.

Alliance supporters include some of the biggest names in e-commerce, as well as smaller start-up ventures and companies not routinely associated with cyberspace. The group's stated mission is to lead and support self-regulatory initiatives that create an environment of trust and that foster the protection of individuals' privacy online and in electronic commerce.

Q: When was the Online Privacy Alliance formed?

A: The Online Privacy Alliance began meeting formally in the spring of 1998. In June, the Alliance announced its creation, membership, mission and guidelines. Check out our mission statement, guidelines and enforcement framework.

Q: Is there really a need for the Online Privacy Alliance?

A: Prior to forming the Online Privacy Alliance, dozens of companies and trade associations spent months debating privacy. The Alliance provided a framework for debate and a forum for attracting companies engaged in e-commerce across a wide variety of sectors -- technology, telecommunications, publishing, entertainment, marketing, finance, consumer, and more.

Within three months, the Alliance had guidelines for privacy policies, a special policy regarding the collection of information from children and a framework for enforcement.

Because of its expertise in self-regulation and the diversity of companies represented, the Alliance has become the leading voice of the private sector on privacy policy online. Alliance supporters are asked to provide the perspective of the American business community in discussions with policy makers at home and abroad. Congressmen, European and U.S. regulators, journalists and Administration officials look to the Alliance for input in discussions about the future of the Internet and e-commerce.

Q: How will my company benefit from joining the Online Privacy Alliance?

A: Joining the Alliance puts your company in the forefront of industry efforts to create self-regulatory policy in the new, global medium. Through electronic mailing lists and meetings, your company will have the inside track on privacy developments overseas and at home, be part of the critical debate among leaders in the Internet industry and be recognized as among the companies creating the new commercial medium. Alliance supporters are often quoted in the press and asked to speak at conferences and elsewhere on behalf of industry.

Government officials will be judging how successful self-regulation may be by how many companies have posted privacy policies on their web sites and how many have joined the Alliance and adopted its guidelines. Money pledged to the Alliance is used to support Alliance activities such as the cost of educating businesses and consumers about the need to protect consumer privacy.

Q: What should my company do to address consumer concerns about privacy?

A: Post a privacy policy that follows the guidelines suggested by the Online Privacy Alliance. If you run a site for kids, pay special attention to the Alliance guidelines for collecting information on children and once you have a privacy policy posted, join a seal program such as BBBOnLine or TRUSTe. The Online Privacy Alliance can help by providing resource information to you, your company's CIO, General Counsel or others drafting your policy. Visit our website resources or call us at 202-638-4371 for more information. And, consider becoming a supporter of the Alliance.

Q: Who are the supporters of the Online Privacy Alliance?

The Online Privacy Alliance is a diverse group of more than 80 global corporations and associations who have come together to introduce and promote business-wide actions that create an environment of trust and foster the protection of individuals' privacy online.

For information on joining the Alliance, visit the web signup form or call 202/244-8854.