An Introduction to P3P - The Platform for Privacy Preferences

P3P (The Platform for Privacy Preferences) creates the framework for standardized, machine-readable privacy policies, and consumer products that read these policies.

Quoted material reprinted from the w3c website - www.w3.org/P3P/introduction.html

"Imagine walking down the street, looking in store windows. As you are about to enter a store, you see prominently displayed on the door an easy-to-read privacy policy that conforms to all local laws. Based on the notice you may decide to enter and shop or you may choose to take your business elsewhere. In this case, you choose to enter. After browsing the aisles, you select a product and head to the checkout counter. You hand over your credit card, cash or other payment mechanism. The information you provide during the transaction will only be used for the purposes stated in the store's policy. You sign and walk out with your purchase."

"This is the P3P vision of online commerce. P3P is designed to provide Internet users with a clear understanding of how personal information will be used by a particular Web site. Web site operators will be able to use the P3P language to explain their privacy practices to visitors. Users will be able to configure their browsers or other software tools to provide notifications about whether Web site privacy policies match their preferences. Parents will also be able to set privacy-related rules that govern their children's activities online. Once Web sites and Internet users can better communicate about privacy, consumers will be able to make better judgments about how Web sites respect their privacy concerns."

"P3P creates the framework for standardized, machine-readable privacy policies, and consumer products that read these policies. Web sites express their privacy policies in a simple standardized format that can be downloaded automatically and read by web browsers and other end-user software tools. These tools can display information about a site's privacy policy to end users, and take actions based on a user's preferences. Such tools might provide positive feedback to users when the sites they visit have privacy policies matching their preferences, and provide warnings when a mismatch occurs. They may also notify users when a site's privacy policy changes."

"While P3P does not alone resolve all online privacy issues, users' confidence in online transactions will increase when they are presented with meaningful information and choices about web site privacy practices."

Where are we today?

Currently, only a few web browsers support the P3P initiative; Netscape 7 and Internet Explorer 6. However, as the default browser with Microsoft's latest Operating System (XP), Internet Explorer 6's penetration is expected to increase both significantly and rapidly. Forward thinking businesses should prepare for this by establishing and posting their Privacy Policy in the P3P format, assuring their customers that their personal information is respected and used only for the purposes stated, and re-committing the trust extended between the client and the company.

P3P in Internet Explorer 6

To implement this type of Privacy control in Internet Explorer 6, users must first choose their personal privacy setting. To do so, select Tools - - Internet Options. From the Task Window, select the Privacy Tab and then slide it up or down to select your preference. Click the Apply Button to establish you preference.

If you are currently viewing this web site using Internet Explorer 6 or greater, to see the P3P initiative in action, select View -- Privacy Report. From the Dialogue box, highlight an HTML document and then click the Summary Button. The P3P report will be displayed in the dialogue window.

P3P in Netscape 7

To set your privacy options in Netscape 7, choose Edit - - Preferences. Under the sub-heading Privacy & Security, select Cookies, and choose the option "Enable Cookies based on privacy settings". Once this option has been selected, the "View" button will become active, allowing you to modify your preference from low to high, with an option to customize your preferences.

To view the Privacy Policy in Netscape 7, choose View - - Page Info, then select the tab marked Privacy. Along the bottom of the dialogue box, there will be 3 buttons, selecting Summary will launch the Policy viewer.

Summary

Whether your web site uses cookies or not, making your Privacy Policy available to the P3P initiative is just smart business. WATS.ca would be pleased to assist you in the development of the required files to expose your site to the P3P initiative today.

Last Updated: May, 2003

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