Professional Responsibility for Information Privacy

Abstract Information privacy has emerged as a key international issue among information systems professionals and society in general. In tracing the development of this concern, the author first examines the four stages in which technology is absorbed by society, noting the trend toward increasing dependence on computer systems. Important privacy debates in the international arena will then be reviewed in order to illustrate that information privacy is a fundamental right in a democratic society. To counter threats to this right, the author proposes action on several fronts, including: • •legislation to regulate the collection,storage and distribution of information in government and business • •education to inform the public regarding the nature of the problem • •standards developed by the computer industry to safeguard computerized information • •centralization of resources at the federal level to study the problem and recommend solutions • •individual vigilance.