Posted by Robert Fabian on January 25, 1999 at 10:54:59:
Your feature about the Pentium III serial number asserts that this number will be automatically transmitted when the user is on the Internet. I find this impossible to believe. There are multiple layers of hardware and software between the serial number and any external site. At most, this new feature will be "required" in the same way that cookies are today required.
The serious question is about the uses that organizations cam make of the personal information they gather. Europe has moved, strongly, to force choice back into the user's hands. The positive effect may be that any country wishing to do ebusiness with Europe will also be required to respect the privacy of individuals.
The problem has always been with organizations that mis-use the information they gather. Using the previous generation of technology - cookies do increase the ease with which a site can provide personalized information. They can also be mis-used. Europe is demanding that all use be under user control, or they will not allow external capture of information about people in Europe.
I hope Canada and the USA will support this positive step towards personal control of personal information.