DCLK - Statement From Kevin O`Connor, CEO of DoubleClick - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[investor_007]

Statement From Kevin O`Connor, CEO of DoubleClick <DCLK.O>


Statement From Kevin O`Connor, CEO of
DoubleClick

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 2000--"Over the past few
weeks, DoubleClick (Nasdaq: DCLK) has been at the center of the
Internet privacy controversy. During this time, we have met and
listened to hundreds of consumers, privacy advocates, customers,
government officials and industry leaders about these issues. The
overwhelming point of contention has been under what circumstances
names can be associated with anonymous user activity across Web
sites."
"It is clear from these discussions that I made a mistake by
planning to merge names with anonymous user activity across Web sites
in the absence of government and industry privacy standards."
"Let me be clear: DoubleClick has not implemented this plan, and
has never associated names, or any other personally identifiable
information, with anonymous user activity across Web sites."
"We commit today, that until there is agreement between
government and industry on privacy standards, we will not link
personally identifiable information to anonymous user activity across
Web sites."
"This action does not affect our core business activity. It means
we are going to await clear industry standards before we decide the
future direction of a number of new products. We will continue to
expand our successful media, technology, e-mail and offline data
businesses. We will also continue to abide by common industry
practices in building anonymous profiles for ad targeting."
"Since founding DoubleClick only 4 years ago, our company has
grown to 1,800 employees with more than 7,000 customers worldwide. We
are helping thousands of companies become successful in our new
economy. I`m proud of DoubleClick`s leadership as an innovator in
improving the value of Internet advertising and keeping the Internet
free for consumers. Taking risks, inventing new products and services,
and correcting mistakes is a sign of responsible leadership."
"Creating industry policies involving something so incredibly
important to our global economy and individuals is not something to be
taken lightly. We all agree on the goals: keep the Internet free while
protecting consumer privacy. It is now time for industry, consumers
and government to develop a clear set of guidelines that help create a
healthy, free Internet while protecting the privacy of all consumers."
About DoubleClick Inc.
DoubleClick Inc. (www.doubleclick.net) is a leading provider of
comprehensive global Internet advertising solutions for marketers and
Web publishers. Combining technology, media and data expertise,
DoubleClick centralizes planning, execution, control, tracking and
reporting for online media campaigns. DoubleClick Inc. has Global
headquarters in New York City and maintains over 30 offices around the
world.
--30--ac/ny*
CONTACT: Jennifer Blum, 212/381-5705
jblumdoubleclick.net
or
Abernathy MacGregor Group
Adam Miller, 212/371-5999 (Investors)

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[investor_007]

DOUBLECLICK <DCLK.O> SAYS IT WON`T LINK PERSONAL INFORMATION TO
WEB ACTIVITY


NEW YORK, March 2 (Reuters) - DoubleClick Inc.,<DCLK.O> the Internet advertising firm whose methods for gathering personal data have come under
scrutiny, will hold off a plan to add people`s names and addresses to its ad tracking program until the government and industry agree on privacy standards, its CEO
said on Thursday.

DoubleClick, which places advertising banners on Web sites and keeps track of who views them, is facing inquiries by the Federal Trade Commission, as well as
the attorneys general of New York and Michigan. It has also alarmed some privacy advocates, who are concerned that its activities give its clients too much access
to personal information of unsuspecting Web users.

"We commit today, that until there is agreement between government and industry on privacy standards, we will not link personally identifiable information to
anonymous user activity across Web sites," DoubleClick Chief Executive Kevin O`Connor said in a statement issued by the company.

O`Connor admitted that he had "made a mistake by planning to merge names with anonymous user activity across Web sites," but emphasized that the company
had never implemented the plan.

He said the decision to hold off on implementation would not affect DoubleClick`s core business activity. "It means we are going to await clear industry standards
before we decide the future direction of a number of new products," he said.

In the meantime, he added, the company would "continue to abide by common industry practices in building anonymous profiles for ad targeting."

DoubleClick`s stock slipped 1/16 to 80-1/2 in midday trading on Nasdaq.