Book Opener

you from unreasonable governmental intrusion into your private life.The Fair Credit Reporting Act (see Chapter 22) protects you againstthe issuance by credit bureaus of inaccurate personal information.In addition, the Right to Financial Privacy Act forbids financial institutionsfrom opening your records to the government without your permissionor a court order.Because of their lack of worldly experience, children are protectedby special statutes. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of1998 requires children’s Web site operators to:l Post comprehensive privacy policies on their sites.llNotify parents about their information practices.Obtain parental consent before collecting personal informationfrom children under the age of 13.Many state legislatures are beginning to adopt laws regulatingInternet privacy. However, one result of this move is that each state’slaws could be different. A lack of consistency in legislation can createconfusion among consumers. There is a movement for the U.S.Congress to set national standards that override state legislation.Under this plan, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would investigateviolations of the FTC Act. This act states that “unfair or deceptiveacts or practices in or affecting commerce are hereby declaredunlawful.” The FTC Act would also regulate e-commerce privacy.Reviewing What You Learned1. What are some tips for safe Internetshopping?2. How can you determine the consumerfriendliness of a Web site when shoppinginternationally?3. Describe the law that permits the use ofelectronic signatures on contracts.4. Identify legal safeguards that protect yourright to computer privacy.Critical Thinking ActivityInternet Transactions Indicate as true orfalse whether the UCC law of sales governsthe following transactions made overthe Internet:l Buying a used computerl Hiring lawn care servicesl Buying stocksl Selling a parcel of landl Buying unborn puppiesLegal Skills in ActionInternet Fraud With your classmates, brainstormabout various types of Internet fraud.Discuss ways to avoid becoming a victimof fraud.Chapter 13: Contracts for the Sale of Goods 287