Statement of DoubleClick CEO Kevin O'Connor.
Re: online privacy practices.
Date: March 2, 2000.
Source: Double Click, Inc.
STATEMENT FROM KEVIN O’CONNOR, CEO OF DOUBLECLICK
NEW YORK, March 2, 2000 - “Over the past few weeks, DoubleClick (Nasdaq: DCLK) has been at the center of the Internet privacy controversy. During this time, we have met and listened to hundreds of consumers, privacy advocates, customers, government officials and industry leaders about these issues. The overwhelming point of contention has been under what circumstances names can be associated with anonymous user activity across Web sites.”
“It is clear from these discussions that I made a mistake by planning to merge names with anonymous user activity across Web sites in the absence of government and industry privacy standards.”
“Let me be clear: DoubleClick has not implemented this plan, and has never associated names, or any other personally identifiable information, with anonymous user activity across Web sites.”
“We commit today, that until there is agreement between government and industry on privacy standards, we will not link personally identifiable information to anonymous user activity across Web sites.”
“This action does not affect our core business activity. It means we are going to await clear industry standards before we decide the future direction of a number of new products. We will continue to expand our successful media, technology, e-mail and offline data businesses. We will also continue to abide by common industry practices in building anonymous profiles for ad targeting.”
“Since founding DoubleClick only 4 years ago, our company has grown to 1,800 employees with more than 7,000 customers worldwide. We are helping thousands of companies become successful in our new economy. I'm proud of DoubleClick's leadership as an innovator in improving the value of Internet advertising and keeping the Internet free for consumers. Taking risks, inventing new products and services, and correcting mistakes is a sign of responsible leadership.”
“Creating industry policies involving something so incredibly important to our global economy and individuals is not something to be taken lightly. We all agree on the goals: keep the Internet free while protecting consumer privacy. It is now time for industry, consumers and government to develop a clear set of guidelines that help create a healthy, free Internet while protecting the privacy of all consumers.”