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Why is it that some large corporations seem so out of tune with the deep-seated concerns of some of their audience? The legalistic approach that some adopt when crafting their online privacy policy is both unfriendly and counterproductive. It serves only to foment anger and distrust while simultaneously perpetuating the 'us and them' culture so graphically exhibited by the major corporate scandals of recent years.

Nonexistent, inaccessible or confusing declarations about how a company will treat the personal data of an individual is demonstrative of an uncaring attitude and is highly disrespectful of the customer the company purports to serve.

Consider the following: When asked to prioritize the reasons why they chose to abandon a Web site, one in every six respondents indicated that they were not happy with the company's privacy policy or the transparency of its business practices. The survey constituents were not the 'loony left,' or a collection of disenfranchised liberal students hoping to watch capitalism crumble.

These are the professional, clerical, technical and administrative employees who work hard and keep business moving. The good news is that many companies are now putting the customer at the center of their online presence design, getting the balance right and reaping the rewards.

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