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Costs of the Information Age: Free Internet Access, Privacy and the Digital Divide

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

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Costs of the Information Age: Free Internet Access, Privacy and the Digital Divide

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  1. Costs of the Information Age: Free Internet Access, Privacy and the Digital Divide Jeremy Eglen Computer Science 99

  2. “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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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