costs of the information age: free internet access, privacy and the digital divide
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Costs of the Information Age: Free Internet Access, Privacy and the Digital Divide. Jeremy Eglen Computer Science 99. “Free” Access?. Variations on the theme of banner advertising Monitoring of surfing habits Surveys on buying habits on- and offline - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Costs of the Information Age: Free Internet Access, Privacy and
the Digital DivideJeremy Eglen
Computer Science 99
“Free” Access?
• Variations on the theme of banner advertising
• Monitoring of surfing habits• Surveys on buying habits on- and offline• But… uncontrolled access to the Net for no
monetary cost
Major Free ISPs• freei.net
– Claims 1.5 million members across the country– Does not collect e-mail addresses or any type of
identifying information– Displays a banner during the time a user is connected to
the Internet• 1stup.com
– Provides service for Altavista Free and Excite’s FreeISP– Displays a banner ad while user is online
Major Free ISPs (cont)
• iFreedom– Periodically displays a banner which cannot be
close until the user clicks on it• Bluelight
– Joint partnership between Yahoo and Kmart– Displays banner ad and provides an online
shopping site
Major Free ISPs (cont)
• WebSpy– Claims free Internet access without banners– Monitors users surfing habits and sends occasional
surveys to users– Provides online shopping site– “Monitoring” agreement hidden in middle of use
contract• Freeserve
– Free access in UK -- charges for phone time
Banners, Banners Everywhere...
• Sites of ISPs vary in level of disclosure as to how they are making money
• Not all have a comprehensive privacy statement
• Great potential for observing users’ surfing habits
• Little innovation in free Internet access solutions
The Digital Divide: Political Rhetoric or Real Problem?
• Wealthier Americans have better access to computers than poorer Americans
• Wealthier Americans have a greater chance of having Internet access
• Access to information is likely to be directly proportional to power
• Politicians are late to realize the problem, not early
A Problem or a Solution?
• Free Internet access can provide access for people who might not otherwise have it– One must have a computer in the first place– Possibly creates a second divide: those who can
afford online privacy and those who cannot• Free Internet access is a business
transaction