Web Privacy with P3p

by Lorrie Faith Cranor

Web site developers balance their need to collect information about users with their obligation to show respect for their users' privacy. The Platform for Privacy Preferences Project, or P3P, has emerged as a technology that may satisfy the wishes of both parties. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), P3P gives users more control over the amount of information they disclose about themselves as they browse the Web, and allows web sites to declare to browsers what sort of information they will request of users. The number of web developers using P3P continues to grow. P3P support is now built into the newest browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and Mozilla. Web Privacy with P3P explains the P3P protocol and shows web site developers how to configure their sites for P3P compliance. Author Lorrie Faith Cranor, chair of the Platform for Privacy Preferences Project (P3P) Specification Working Group at the W3C and co-author of the P3P1.0 specification, explains the inner workings of the P3P protocol while maintaining a hands-on implementation approach. Following a foreword by Stanford Law professor Lawrence Lessig, the book begins with an introduction to P3P and an overview of online privacy concerns and the laws governing online privacy. Cranor discusses existing privacy technology, such as encryption tools, filters and identity management tools. Next, the book shows you how to P3P-enable your own site. Among the many topics covered Full of examples and case studies, Web Privacy with P3P delivers practical advice and insider tips. Software developers, privacy consultants, corporate decision-makers, lawyers, public policy-makers, and any individual interested in online privacy issues will find this book a necessary reference.

344 pages, Paperback

First published September 23, 2002