While the challenge of preserving privacy is foremost in the minds of most Internet users, Web site developers balance the need to collect in formation about users with their obligation to show respect for their users' privacy. The Platform for Privacy Preferences Project, or P3P, has emerged as an answer that may satisfy the wishes of both parties. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), P3P gives user more control over the amount of information they disclose about themselves as they browse the Web. At the same time, it allows Web sites to declare to browsers what sort of information they will request of users. Their privacy policies are embedded in the code of the site, so browsers talk to the Web server just below the surface. The number of Web developers using P3P continues to grow, especially with the increasing popularity of Microsoft's IE 6,which blocks cookies from sites that aren't P3P compliant. . 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. 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 are: P3P deployment steps; P3P policy syntax; creating P3P policies; creating and referencing policy reference files; data schemas; and 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.
