To the Point
Is There Such a Thing as Internet Privacy?
On this archived edition of To the Point, will new privacy laws be needed to restore consumers’ confidence?
By Warren Olney • • 49m ListenTracking consumers on the Internet and selling detailed profiles is a $400 million business expected to double this year. Advertisers have real-time access to whatever you’re doing on line. On this archived edition of To the Point, will new privacy laws be needed to restore consumers’ confidence? Is there any good news about this kind of intrusion? Also, the danger of alluring layaway plans and, the continuing saga of Guantánamo Bay.
Banner image: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesThe Dangers of Alluring Layaway Plans
Christmas "layaway" plans go back to the Great Depression, when retail stores wanted to keep low-income shoppers. Credit cards put an end to all that but this year, "layaway" is being revived in a big way by Walmart, Sears, Toys "R" Us and many others. Louis Hyman is Professor of Labor Relations, Law and History at Cornell University.
Read the story7 minIs There Such a Thing as Internet Privacy?
Internet spying has become big business, "more pervasive and far more intrusive" than all but a few people know. That's from an extensive study by the Wall Street Journal, which reports that companies track users in real time so they can advertise instantly.
Read the story35 minAnnual Cost of Keeping One Prisoner at Guantanamo
In January the military prison at Guantánamo Bay will be ten years old. About 171 prisoners remain from the 779 who've been housed there. The operating costs are $140 million a year, and the Obama Administration claims that's $800,000 per inmate. Barack Obama's first order as President was to shut down Guantánamo.
Read the story8 min
