American Electronics Association to Host Business Seminar On Internet Privacy.

Business Editors

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2000

By now it should be common knowledge that the emergence of the Internet has sent technology on a different growth path.

It also has made the delivery of information faster and more accessible than ever. However, a key issue stemming from such convenience is concern about sensitive data getting into the wrong hands.

The Orange County Council of the American Electronics Association plans to tackle this dilemma head on. The group will present an intensive seminar on Internet privacy from 7:15 a.m to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13, at Scott's Seafood Grill in Costa Mesa.

This is one in a series of half-day seminars on Internet privacy to be held at key locations throughout California in January. The series is titled "E-Commerce Privacy: Building Customer Trust."

"Whether a business uses the Internet to market its products, communicate with customers or employees, conduct e-commerce, or if the Internet is its business, understanding Internet privacy is crucial. And that's what this conference is all about," said Orange County Council Chairman Ray Waguespack, president of Datum International Division.

Testifying before Congress on the issue of online privacy in July of this year, FTC Commissioner Mozelle W. Thompson said, "Congress and the Administration should not foreclose the possibility of legislative and regulatory action if we cannot make swift and significant additional progress." (Referring to the Commission's four-year effort to encourage widespread implementation of effective protections for consumers' online privacy).

Understanding that this is not just a high-tech business issue, but one that affects any and all online business, AEA welcomes anyone interested in this topic to attend.

The AEA seminar, co-sponsored by the law firm of McKenna & Cuneo LLP and BBBOnLine, will cover topics such as protecting your company from potential liabilities, how a privacy seal can help you compete for e-commerce business, protecting children on the internet, and potential government regulations regarding internet privacy.

This series of seminars is part of a nationwide effort to stress the importance and urgency for online businesses to adhere to consumer-friendly privacy practices. "As consumer privacy becomes increasingly important in the on-line world, the competitive advantage will shift to those businesses whose policies and actions build trust in the electronic marketplace," said Scott Cooper, technology policy manager for Hewlett-Packard Co.

Speakers for the program include experts from McKenna & Cuneo, BBBOnLine and attorneys from the Federal Trade Commission who will share information about the FTC's July 1999 report to Congress titled Self-Regulation and Privacy Online.

Cost of the seminar is $45.00 per person, which includes materials, food and beverages. AEA members will receive a $10 discount. For more information or to register, contact Brenda Scialdone at 949/477-5300 or e-mail to [e-mail]. You also can visit AEA's Web site at www.aeanet.org.

About AEA

The American Electronics Association is the nation's largest high-tech trade group, representing more than 3,000 U.S.-based technology companies. Membership spans the industry product and service spectrum, from semiconductors and software to computers, Internet and telecommunications systems and services.

With 18 regional U.S. councils and offices in Brussels, Tokyo and Beijing, AEA offers a unique global policy grassroots capability and a wide portfolio of valuable business services and products for the high-tech industry. For 56 years, AEA has been the accepted voice of the U.S. technology community.