TRUSTe Celebrates Ten Years of Privacy Protection With Anniversary Gala in San Francisco

Market Wire, October, 2007

TRUSTe, the nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer privacy, is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a gala event to be held October 22, 2007 at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. The event kicks off with a reception at 6:30 p.m. to be followed by dinner at 8:00 p.m., and includes presentations from Fran Maier, executive director, and other thought-provoking speakers and a chance for luminaries in the online privacy field to share ideas and network.

Originally conceived of by founders Lori Fena and Charles Jennings and other e-commerce privacy pioneers at Esther Dyson's 1996 PC Forum, TRUSTe was established to build confidence in emerging Internet business by protecting individual privacy. Internet power players such as AOL, Microsoft and IBM joined early on as sponsors in support of TRUSTe's mission. In 1999, the San Francisco-based non-profit opened its policy office in Washington, D.C. and became a leading voice influencing privacy regulations on a national scale.

Over the ensuing years, TRUSTe pioneered online privacy with seal programs including the email privacy seal, the EU Safe Harbor Privacy Seal, Children's Privacy Seal, and the Trusted Download spyware-free certification program. Internet users seeking help for privacy issues can obtain redress for individual complaints through the TRUSTe Watchdog dispute resolution system. In the past ten years TRUSTe has resolved tens of thousands of individual privacy related complaints with its sealholders.

Today, over 2,400 Web sites are certified by TRUSTe and the seal has become the preeminent symbol of trust online, addressing privacy threats with practical approaches to consumer protection and trust. The gala event not only commemorates the accomplishments of the past decade, but it also examines changes in the privacy environment, and looks forward to solutions to combat emerging threats to consumer privacy for a healthier online ecosystem. To cap off the night, attendees will enjoy a performance by Moonalice, a band founded by Roger McNamee, venture capitalist and an early TRUSTe supporter. Complimentary transportation between the Westin St. Francis Hotel, location of the IAPP Academy, and the De Young Museum will be provided to all Gala guests.

Individual seats are $250 and government and academic rates are available. Please contact Carolyn Hodge at chodge@truste.org or 415-520-3415 to reserve a seat or a table. Availability is limited. To learn more about the event or to register online, please visit http://www.truste.org/10th . Interested parties are also encouraged to join the special TRUSTe group on Facebook to get in touch with early founders, supporters and current TRUSTe employees. Search for TRUSTe under "Groups."

About TRUSTe:

TRUSTe helps consumers and businesses identify trustworthy online organizations through its Web Privacy Seal, Email Privacy Seal and Trusted Download Programs. An independent, nonprofit organization celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2007, TRUSTe certifies more than 2,400 Web sites, including the major internet portals and leading brands such as AOL, eBay, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft and Oracle. TRUSTe resolves thousands of individual privacy disputes every year. To learn more about internet privacy visit www.truste.org .

Media Contact: Morgan McDowell blast! PR on behalf of TRUSTe 919-833-9975 x 12 Email Contact