Privacy, Anonymity, and Accountability in Ad-Supported Services

In this talk, I will address three aspects of user privacy in advertiser-supported, online services. First, I present the design of a novel browser plug-in that enables anonymous search. Next, I consider economic aspects of user privacy from the point of view of the operator of an advertiser-supported website. Finally, I present recent work on "accountability" in online activity, where the goal is to hold website operators responsible for appropriate handling of users' sensitive information rather than to prevent users from ever providing information that might be misused.