Introduction. Chapter 1

• Author: Leani Marlie Van Schalkwyk
• Published date: 01 January 2005
• Pages: 1-11
• Date: 01 January 2005
• DOI: 10.10520/EJC74045

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1. General introduction1

The era in which we find ourselves demonstrates the rapid deve-

lopment of technology.Information that would have been practically

inaccessible a few years ago is available to anyone with a computer

or Internet2access. In the beginning of the previous century every-

body’s personal papers and details were kept in their houses and

places of business. Today this detailed information is on computer

disks. It is in most instances not even in our possession but is in

the custody of third parties — banks, insurance companies, medical

institutions and employers, to only name a few.

With the progress associated with technology and the information

industry, life has become much more convenient. Banks claim that

a person can do his or her necessary banking in front of the com-

puter at any convenient time. Online shops and merchants lure

“shoppers” into the magical world of cyber malls where you can

purchase anything your heart desires without leaving the comfort

of your own home.

This accessibility to innumerable opportunities can pose a danger

to the individual. The darker side of progress has many times been

coined as an involuntary sacrifice of privacy and the peace of mind

that your interests are safe.

Information is constantly being gathered, filtered and processed for

different purposes. How can a person ensure that information that

was intended not to be freely available is not publicised?

The green paper on e-commerce3worded this dilemma quite clearly:

“Privacy or the lack thereof, is a major concern for individuals in the

use of the electronic medium in commerce.This includes not only the

privacy of the communication between the parties in a transaction

e.g. the protection of credit and debit card numbers while traversing

the Internet, or of other personal details, which can be solved through

the use of encryption; but also the accumulation of personal data

at web sites4visited, for example through the use of “cookies”.5

1

1 Because of the technical nature of this study a list of relevant defini-

tions and terms is supplied at the end of this dissertation in the form

of a list of key terms for purposes of reference.

2 See page 104 in the list of key terms.

3 See chapter 3 (3.1)

4For a definition of “Web site” see page 106 in the list of key terms.

5See chapter 2 (2.1.2) and page 103 in the list of key terms.