6.805/STS085 Class for Feb. 22

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
6.805/6.806/STS085 Ethics and Law on the Electronic Frontier
Spring Semester, 2001
February 22

A Conversation with Robert Ellis Smith, on Privacy Issues and Privacy Law

Our class guest, Robert Ellis Smith, is one of the America's foremost privacy advocates and experts on privacy issues and law. He is the publisher of Privacy Journal, a privacy watchdog newsletter that he founded 25 years ago, long before privacy concerns had gained widespread attention. He is the author of several books on privacy, including our course textbook Ben Franklin's Web Site, an outstanding history of privacy in America.

It's our privilege to be able to spend the afternoon discussing with Bob the issues he's articulated for so long. Come prepared to ask questions, and also to answer questions, i.e., be sure to do the assigned reading in Bob's book.

Homework due before today

Remember that the written assignment on liability is due before class today.

Readings to do before class

Read the short piece on Robert Ellis Smith, His own private providence, from the Oct. 18, 1999 issue of US News and World Report.
Spend a little time browsing Bob's Privacy Journal web site.
Read the landmark 1890 Harvard Law Review paper by Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis, "The Right to Privacy", which is often considered to be the genesis of American privacy law.
Read the following chapters from Ben Franklin's Web Site, and be prepared to discuss them with the author: Brandeis (pp. 121-152), The Constitution (pp. 257-283); Numbers (pp. 284-308); Databanks (pp. 309-337); and Cyberspace (pp. 338-353). Remember that you can purchase copies of the book from the course secretary, Jessica Strong.

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Last modified: February 11 2001, 11:40 PM

Hal Abelson (hal@mit.edu)
Mike Fischer (mfischer@mit.edu)
Danny Weitzner (djweitzner@w3.org)
Joe Pato (pato@hpl.hp.com)
Joanne Straggas (joanne@mit.edu)