ZKS and Anonymizer have the wrong business model in terms of what consumers want. They're too techie. What people (as opposed to cypherpunks ;-) want is privacy AND the ability to make purchases without spreading their CC# all over.

This is the hottest area of privacy services, and competition is starting to heat up, with more and more firms deciding to provide such services.

Card issuers would seem to have an advantage here.

An early "release" (can you say 'vaporware') is being promoted in TV commercials by American Express.

The commercial shows the narrator/consumer talking about wanting Internet privacy, while his face is obscured the entire commercial. The ending has him claiming complete Internet privacy, including for purchases, and shows a symbolic AmEx card with the name X'd out. ("I'm finally getting the recognition I deserve.")

AmEx signed an agreement on 9/7/2000 with Privada to provide the proxying Internet access, and AmEx says it will roll out Privacy Payments within the next month.

Privada notes at http://www.privada.net/news/index.html

What a load of shit. If you check that URL the next thing you see the following release ----------------------------- http://www.privada.net/news/releases/20000717.html Privada's Technology Protects Users' Privacy, Only Monitors Those Who Abuse It Technology solves the problem of responsible privacy SAN JOSE, Calif. � July 17, 2000 � In the wake of the FBI's recent Carnivore system unveiling, the question of responsible privacy has reached a critical head. While the government struggles to balance security and privacy, and technology continues to evolve, consumers are confronted with a scenario where through no fault of their own, they may have the government snooping through their email. When Carnivore is placed with an Internet service provider, it scans all incoming and outgoing emails for messages associated with the target of a criminal probe. Further, while the system is plugged into the ISP's network, it is controlled solely by the law enforcement agency. In a traditional wiretap, the tap is physically placed and maintained by the telephone company. With Carnivore, the privacy of all an ISP's customers is at risk, with no involvement or control by the ISP. Enter Privada Through a patent pending privacy management infrastructure, Privada delivers a much-needed balanced and societally appropriate solution. Built into that infrastructure is a component called the Monitor that only monitors those who have abused their right to privacy, giving ISPs a tool for complying with law enforcement subpoenas without infringing upon the privacy of all users. ------------ And yet another --------------------- Privacy Expert Says Democracy Demands "Responsible" Privacy Protections Glee Harrah Cady of Privada, Inc. Says Innovative Technology That Empowers Consumers Is Better Than Regulation In Solving Privacy Concerns WASHINGTON, D.C. � September 14, 2000 � An executive from one of America's leading privacy technology companies warned those attending a summit here that efforts to create a one-size-fits-all law protecting privacy will never be as effective as the solutions offered by ongoing technological innovation. "Privacy is fundamental to any democracy," said Glee Harrah Cady, Vice President of Global Public Policy for the San Jose-based Privada, Inc. "People must be able to fully express their opinions and thoughts without fear. Anonymity can be important to the democratic process, but it also can be abused." Cady pointed to recent incidents of hacking and the spread of computer viruses as circumstances in which anonymity does not serve the public good. "Privacy is a right until you misuse it," she told participants at the Global Privacy Summit. ----------------------------------- Obviously AMEX & Privada don't have a clue as to the history of privacy and privacy tools... What about civil john doe complaints? What about Church of $cientology and Penet.fi? What about the entire key escrow debate? What about the entire clipper debate? If anyone really things that 'identity escrow' enabled privacy products are what the market is looking for, they are seriously clueless. This is obviously snake oil. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://mail.yahoo.com/