The Internet is increasingly raising real concerns in areas such as the use of email in recruiting respondents online. Because of its extremely low cost of entry, and thus the high potential for abuse, the Net can potentially be a minefield. In this sense, Net researchers face a whole new and developing realm of methodology. Rules for use are already in place, having arisen from users themselves, ISPs, and government regulators in attempts to protect personal and data privacy.

These new Internet standards aim to balance businesses' needs for research information with the public's privacy concerns. They have been adopted by a vote of the full CASRO membership after more than a year and a half of study and deliberation by a committee chaired by Kevin Mabley, Vice-President, Operations, Cyber Dialogue. He said, "CASRO has always led the research industry to operate within strict legal and ethical bounds. Internet Research is different from other data collection methodologies and requires Standards appropriate for that environment. The new Standards give market research companies a proactive stance with the ISP's to enforce a high standard of privacy protection on the Internet."

Nicholas J. Tortorello, president of Guideline Research and Consulting and current CASRO Chair added, "The Internet Standards mark a significant milestone in the development of the survey research industry. Their adoption demonstrates, once again, that CASRO members are the leaders of the survey
research industry and committed to professional and ethical practices."

For more information, visit the www.casro.org website.