The erosion of privacy

I nformation linked to individual persons was once difficult to find and even more burdensome to cross-reference. Now, such information is readily accessible and collectible through the use of automated search facilities. The threat to personal privacy has never been greater. This article presents examples of how current technology is being used to commercialize personal data and consequently threaten individual rights to privacy. It concludes by suggesting three ways in which individual control over the collection, use, and dissemination of personal information can be established.