In 2008, we do not have a dearth of online privacy acts, laws and policies. Acts like COPA, i.e. Child Online Protection Act, COPPA, i.e., Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, New Jersey Online Privacy Protection Act (S.1050), Online Privacy Protection Act (S. 2201), California Online Privacy Protection Act of 2003, Online Privacy and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and policies like Social Security Online Privacy Policy are trying to protect online privacy of internet users. On the other hand, more and more software are getting released that enable internet users to maintain anonymity, hide IP address, erase internet tracks and secure total online privacy. Thus, today, internet users have tools for protecting their privacy on the internet, like never before. They have forums and platforms where they can complain about violation of online privacy rights.

Some feel too much is being said and done about online privacy.The question whether too much is being done about online privacy may have different answers. Similarly there will be varying opinions about the effectiveness of the software that are designed to maintain online privacy. But in today’s age of increasing internet-usage, there should be no debate about the usefulness of knowledge, self-control, awareness and judgment in maintaining online privacy. When online social networking is increasing day by day with the advent of sites that lure users to share and exhibit sensitive materials starting from pictures to blogs, users need to exercise strict self-control. Sometimes our urge to share materials overrules our knowledge about the need for privacy. In order to imitate our online friends, we end up divulging personal details that may land us into trouble. Before, embarking on an extensive internet journey, a user should educate himself thoroughly about what online privacy is, why we need it, what happens if it is not protected and how to effectively protect it. There are a large number of “sensible” internet users who know all about online privacy, its laws and policies, software available for its protection and how to protect i with personal discipline. These users can speak volumes on the subject of online privacy and can complain if their rights are violated. But if you visit their Facebook, MySpace or Orkut profile you may find them sharing all kinds of sensitive personal data on an open platform and not even opting for security options that the websites offer.

Thus, today when we, do not lack online privacy protection laws, and have a huge number of online privacy software at our disposal, too, we need to improve our online discipline which will prove more helpful in protecting our online privacy than the other two tools.