Press Release
2 University Plaza, Suite 414
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: 201-996-1154 FAX: 201-996-1883

Press Contact:
Irene Oujo (201) 996-1154

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2002

 

NEW PRIVACY POLICY DATABASE WILL BE UNVEILED
AT P&AB DECEMBER CONFERENCE

New tool allows privacy leaders to benchmark their own privacy policies.

Hackensack, NJ// November 12, 2002: P&AB has developed a new searchable Privacy Policy Database, which will allow those managing privacy to benchmark their own privacy policy status. The Database will be unveiled at P&ABs upcoming Privacy Leadership Group Briefing and Workshop December 5-6 in Washington, D.C.

Under the direction of the leading national privacy expert, Alan Westin, President & Publisher, P&AB, the database is a compilation of consumer privacy policies from companies across different industries including banking, credit and consumer cards, consumer reporting, health, insurance, investments, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. It is searchable by industry, location, opt-in/opt-out, offline/online, consumer response method, availability of a contact person, such as a CPO, for consumer redress, and more. For each industry, exemplary policies will be flagged, with a discussion why it is outstanding, and how it may be adapted.

The database will not only house privacy policies, but will also include vital information on the legislation that drives privacy policies like GLB, HIPAA, and COPPA. Guides to writing privacy policies and using the database will also be provided to users. This web-based database will be updated quarterly and housed at pandab.org.

"Every company large and small should be reviewing their privacy policies and procedures on an ongoing basis," said Dr. Westin. "This database gives privacy managers the tools they need to benchmark and monitor their own privacy status."

Reports Available in December

As a special bonus for those signing up for PLG or attending the December 5-6 meetings, P&AB will provide "The CPO: Job Description and Evaluation Criteria." A premium for members and attendees, this special publication was prepared by Alan Westin and provides not only the criteria by which CPOs can be evaluated, but an analysis and job description of the CPO.

PLG meeting attendees will also receive the Consumer Privacy Litigation Report, a cumulative analysis of lawsuits since 2000; and a Round-up of Consumer Privacy Surveys that discusses which surveys are trustworthy, what the important trends are, and how they affect U.S. business. A major new survey on the latest privacy segmentation of the U.S. public will also be released at the December meetings.

For more information about P&ABs PLG Briefing and Workshop to be held December 5-6 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C., visit pandab.org or contact Olga Garey at (201) 996-1154 or info@pandab.org.

About Privacy & American Business

Privacy & American Business, (pandab.org & www.PrivacyExchange.org), is an activity of the non-profit Center for Social & Legal Research, a non-profit, non-partisan public policy think tank exploring U.S. and global issues of consumer and employee privacy and data protection since its launch in 1993.

Always on the cutting edge, P&AB was the first to chart and analyze for business the rise of privacy from a second-tier concern to a front-burner issue and to provide opportunities in programs and meetings to assist businesses in understanding the privacy environment as it is evolving. P&AB, a pioneer in recognizing the rise of the corporate privacy officer (CPO), was the first to open its CPO Program in 1999.

The Center and all its activities are led by Dr. Alan Westin, President and Publisher of P&AB; Robert Belair, Partner at Oldaker, Biden & Belair and P&ABs Vice President; and Lorrie Sherwood, P&ABs Executive Director.

About P&ABs Privacy Leadership Group

The Privacy Leadership Group (PLG) is a new multi-industry program that delivers an ongoing flow of resources, practical hands-on assistance and networking opportunities throughout the year to support privacy officers and those involved in privacy management. PLG is led by P&AB whose Corporate Privacy Officers Programs from 1999 through 2001 provided the first integrated support programs for privacy officers in the U.S. and abroad.