Online Consumer Protection: Theories of Human Relativism Kuanchin Chen Western Michigan University, USA Adam Fadlalla Cleveland State University, USA InformatIon scIence reference Hershey • New York Director of Editorial Content: Senior Managing Editor: Managing Editor: Managing Development Editor: Assistant Managing Editor: Typesetter: Editorial Assistant: Copy Editor Cover Design: Printed at: Kristin Klinger Jennifer Neidig Jamie Snavely Kristin M. Roth Carole Coulson Chris Hrobak Rebecca Beistline Joy Langel Lisa Tosheff Yurchak Printing Inc. Published in the United States of America by Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global) 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200 Hershey PA 17033 Tel: 717-533-8845 Fax: 717-533-8661 E-mail:
[email protected] Web site: http://www.igi-global.com and in the United Kingdom by Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global) 3 Henrietta Street Covent Garden London WC2E 8LU Tel: 44 20 7240 0856 Fax: 44 20 7379 0609 Web site: http://www.eurospanbookstore.com Copyright © 2009 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without written permission from the publisher. Product or company names used in this set are for identification purposes only. Inclusion of the names of the products or companies does not indicate a claim of ownership by IGI Global of the trademark or registered trademark. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Online consumer protection : theories of human relativism / Kuanchin Chen and Adam Fadlalla, editors. p. cm. Summary: "This book is designed to offer readers a comprehensive way to understand the nature of online threats, consumer concerns, and techniques for online privacy protection"--Provided by publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60566-012-7 (hardcover) -- ISBN 978-1-60566-013-4 (ebook) 1. Consumer protection. 2. Ethical relativism. 3. Privacy, Right of. 4. Electronic commerce--Security measures. 5. Electronic information resources--Access control. 6. Disclosure of information. 7. Computer crimes. I. Chen, Kuanchin. II. Fadlalla, Adam. HC79.C63O54 2009 381.3'402854678--dc22 2008010313 British Cataloguing in Publication Data A Cataloguing in Publication record for this book is available from the British Library. All work contributed to this book set is original material. The views expressed in this book are those of the authors, but not necessarily of the publisher. If a library purchased a print copy of this publication, please go to http://www.igi-global.com/agreement for information on activating the library's complimentary electronic access to this publication. Table of Contents Preface ................................................................................................................................................ xiv Acknowledgment ................................................................................................................................ xx Section I Background Chapter I Google: Technological Convenience vs. Technological Intrusion ......................................................... 1 Andrew Pauxtis, Quinnipiac University, USA Bruce White, Quinnipiac University, USA Chapter II A Taxonomic View of Consumer Online Privacy Legal Issues, Legislation, and Litigation .............. 16 Angelena M. Secor, Western Michigan University, USA J. Michael Tarn, Western Michigan University, USA Chapter III Online Privacy, Vulnerabilities, and Threats: A Manager’s Perspective............................................... 33 Hy Sockel, DIKW Management Group, USA Louis K. Falk,