Information technology makes it easier than ever to collect, store, and disseminate personal information, then use it to carry out business and political decisions. Federal legislation limits corporate and government manipulation of personal data, and private companies are finding that they must do the same or risk lawsuits from irate customers, clients, and rejected prospects. This article explores the concept of privacy, describes the major computer threats to personal privacy and the changing legal environment, and recommends how organizations can establish internal privacy codes for their own protection.