The Direct Marketing Association is asking the U.S. Department of Commerce to focus more on educating consumers and businesses about e-commerce rather than devote its time to examining practices, such as consumer information related to marketing.
In comments to the Commerce Department, the DMA said the marketplace for e-commerce can best handle privacy protection for online individuals instead of government mandates. Market forces, self-regulation, peer review of marketing practices, consumer and parental education and industry education extend a high level of privacy protection and consumer choice, it said. Erroneous and alarming comments made by government officials also may cause consumer fear and hinder the growth of e-commerce.
