Although nearly 70% of U.S. consumers are concerned about their privacy online, only 40% read privacy statements before handing over personal information to Web sites, according to a survey conducted by Jupiter Media Metrix.

The survey, conducted in March, also revealed that 82% of online consumers are willing to provide various forms of information to shopping Web sites (where they have not yet made purchases) in exchange for something as modest as a $100 sweepstakes entry. Consumers are most willing to offer email addresses (61%) and full names (49%), and least likely to provide household incomes (18%) and phone numbers (19%).

The survey data also showed that 36% of users would provide username and passwords, a potential concern considering that other Jupiter data indicate that 53% of online consumers use the same username and password wherever they go online.

Online retail sales would be approximately 24% higher in 2006 if consumers' fears about privacy and security were effectively addressed, the company said. http://www.jmm.com