Report Announcement

Without Consent: An analysis of student directory information practices in U.S. schools, and impacts on privacy

Without Consent is the first major benchmarking privacy report to examine school directory information practices and related privacy issues in a multi-year study across more than 5,000 schools at the primary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. The research found troubling and challenging student privacy problems that need to be urgently addressed. The report contains extensive findings and recommendations regarding student privacy, and includes best practices, sample forms, and resources for schools, parents, and students.

News Release: WPF Publishes New Report on Government Use of Commercial Data Brokers

Today the World Privacy Forum published a report discussing the US federal government's use of commercial data brokers, the implications for that usage, and what needs to be done to address privacy problems. The report argues that the government must bring itself fully to heel in the area of privacy, explaining that when government outsources its data needs to commercial data brokers, it needs to also attach the privacy standards it would have been held to if it had collected the data itself. Outsourcing can no longer be an excuse for evading privacy obligations.

Many Failures: WPF report on history of privacy self-regulation

Self-regulation -- The World Privacy Forum has published a report on past self-regulatory efforts in the area of privacy, Many Failures: A brief history of privacy self-regulation. "Privacy self-regulation has been a Potemkin Village of consumer protection," says executive director Pam Dixon. "History shows a pattern of past self-regulatory efforts that have been erected quickly and have faded after regulatory threats fade." The report is authored by Robert Gellman and Pam Dixon. It includes details about programs such as the IRSG, the Privacy Leadership Initiative, the Privacy Alliance, and other programs. A key finding of this report is that the majority of the industry self-regulatory programs that were initiated failed in one or more substantive ways, and many disappeared entirely.

New Report on US Department of Commerce Privacy Track Record

Department of Commerce and Safe Harbor -- New Report The World Privacy Forum published a new report today that evaluates the US Department of Commerce's work on privacy protection for consumers, given its role overseeing such critical programs as the US/EU Safe Harbor data agreement. The report, The US Department of Commerce and International Privacy Activities: Indifference and Neglect, identifies a number of issues of concern regarding the Department's privacy programs, most particularly, the current Safe Harbor framework. The report's analysis find that three separate studies consistently show that many and perhaps most Safe Harbor participants are not in compliance with their obligations under Safe Harbor.

The One Way Mirror Society: WPF's new report on Digital Signage

World Privacy Forum Report | Digital Signage -- The World Privacy Forum published a groundbreaking report today on digital signage and privacy. The report, The One Way Mirror Society, discusses the remarkable consumer surveillance occurring in retail and other spaces. This is the first report on this topic to be published. From the report:

WPF updates Red Flag report

WPF Red Flag Report -- The World Privacy Forum has updated its Red Flag report, Red Flag and Address Discrepancy Requirements: Suggestions for Health Care Providers. The update reflects the new effective date of the Red Flag Rule, (November 1, 2009) and incorporates other minor updates in the text. This report replaces the original Red Flag report published September 2008.

World Privacy Forum Publishes A Patient’s Guide to HIPAA, First Comprehensive HIPAA Privacy Guide Written Expressly For Patients

“This guide is not just a retread of what HIPAA is and does,” said Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum. “Our guide gives patients practical details and strategies on how they can use the law to protect their privacy and navigate the medical system. Best of all, it is easy to use.”

Report Announcement: Privacy in the Clouds

WPF report announcement -- The World Privacy Forum's newest report examines the privacy and confidentiality issues of cloud computing that have been largely overlooked to date. It is a thorough analysis with policy findings. Privacy in the Clouds: Risks to Privacy and Confidentiality from Cloud Computing was written by Robert Gellman for the World Privacy Forum. Cloud computing tips for consumers and business are also available.

World Privacy Forum Publishes Red Flag Rule Suggestions for Hospitals and Providers; new FTC-enforced rules go into effect Nov. 1, can apply to health care providers

SAN DIEGO, Ca., Sept. 24 -- The World Privacy Forum’s latest report, Red Flag and Address Discrepancy Requirements: Suggestions for Health Care Providers, discusses the applicability of the new FTC regulations to the health care sector along with suggestions for providers. The report addresses newly issued regulations by the Federal Trade Commission that require financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs. Health care providers – whether they are for-profit, non-profit, or governmental entities – may have obligations under the new rules.

Press Release: Call Don't Click Update: STILL BE SMART ABOUT ORDERING FEDERALLY MANDATED FREE CREDIT REPORTS - New Report Identifies Over 100 Imposter Domains Interfering with Federally Mandated Free Credit Report Site, www.AnnualCreditReport.com

In its first report on this subject published in February 2005, The World Privacy Forum documented that 96 known imposter domains existed, with 50 of those domains active and online. In its new study, “Call Don’t Click Update: Still be smart about ordering Federally mandated free credit reports,” the World Privacy Forum has found that 233 known imposter sites now exist, with 112 of the imposter domains active and online. This marks a 124 percent increase in known, active imposter domains since February.

Press Release: Call Don't Click II: Why it's smarter to order a federally mandated credit report via the phone instead of the internet

A new report issued today by the World Privacy Forum in advance of the March 1 rollout of free credit reports to Midwestern U.S. residents shows that consumers may be better off calling or mailing for their federally mandated free credit report instead of going online for it.

Timeline: The evolution of a job scam

Job applicant rights and privacy -- This visual timeline chronicles a year of a job scam. The timeline documents the cities the fake jobs were targeting, dates the jobs posted, the various company names the scam operated under, and the contact names used in the scam. The job scam timeline is documented with screen shots of the job listings and how they looked as posted. The scam is still active.

Inaugural World Privacy Forum Report, 11 November 2003

Job Searching in the Networked Environment: Consumer Benchmarks -- The World Privacy Forum officially launches with this inaugural report, a study a year in its research on the job search sector. This study, The 2003 Job Search Privacy Study: Job Searching in the Networked Environment: Consumer Benchmarks , documents job applicant privacy across the job search industry from resume writers to job search sites to resume blasters and other parts of the job search infrastructure.