Hundreds of ERA Member Companies Are Encouraged to Adopt Online Privacy Policies and Apply for a BBBOnLine Privacy Sea

ARLINGTON, Va. (May 5, 1999) -- BBBOnLine, a subsidiary of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., today announced an agreement with the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) to encourage ERA's 420 member companies to adopt the new BBBOnLine Privacy Seal.

The agreement between BBBOnLine and ERA, the country's premier organization for electronic retailers, creates a co-marketing arrangement that offers ERA member companies the benefit of participating in the Better Business Bureau SystemÕs consumer privacy protection program.

The BBBOnLine Privacy Program, launched March 17, seeks to assure consumers about how a Web site handles personally identifiable information. The distinctive BBBOnLine privacy emblem, a blue-black-and-white combination lock containing a stylized globe, signals consumers that the Web site has undergone a rigorous assessment process to assure that the company abides by the privacy notice it has posted on its Web site. The seal also means that a Web site has agreed to participate in a dispute resolution system to address consumer complaints.

"We are impressed with ERA's commitment to building consumer confidence in shopping online," said Russell Bodoff, senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer of BBBOnLine. "With ERA's participation in BBBOnLine's program, we will reach another sector of the retailing community, extend greater privacy protection to more consumers and further demonstrate that online voluntary self-regulation by the private sector is working."

Elissa M. Myers, ERA's President and CEO complimented BBBOnLine for doing "a terrific job of putting in place a practical, clear and effective system to help Internet retailers protect the privacy of customers. BBBOnLine's Privacy Seal Program provides a sensible framework for effective privacy policies and offers a rigorous annual compliance assessment to assure that the policies are being followed. ERA members who participate in the program can be sure they are doing the right thing."

ERA will promote the privacy program through its weekly electronic newsletter and other mailings, invite BBBOnLine representatives to participate at ERA conferences and include information about BBBOnLine on the ERA Web site. As part of the co-marketing agreement, ERA members who apply for the seal will receive a discount on the annual BBBOnLine Privacy Seal fees.

BBBOnLine created the privacy seal with the support of about two dozen global companies, pioneers and leaders in e-commerce, including America Online, AMR Corporation (American Airlines and Travelocity), AT&T, Bank of America, Dell, Dun & Bradstreet, Eastman Kodak, Equifax, Experian, Ford, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, JC Penney, MCI WorldCom, Microsoft, New York Times Electronic Media, Procter & Gamble, Reed Elsevier (LEXIS-NEXIS), Sony Electronics, US WEST, Viacom and Xerox.

ERA is the trade association for major companies who sell goods and services to the public through electronic channels. The goal of ERA is to foster the worldwide growth, development and acceptance of the rapidly growing electronic retailing industry. Its membership is involved in infomercial and short-form commercials, television shopping channels and multimedia marketing. Formed in 1990, ERA was first called the National Infomercial Marketing Association (NIMA International), but changed its name to the Electronic Retailing Association to reflect the expanding nature of electronic retailing.

Companies wishing to apply for the BBBOnLine seal will find full details on the program's eligibility criteria, program specifics, and application process available at www.bbbonline.org.