• by Joe Mandese , November 3, 2009

That’s what I took from Cathy Dwyer’s explanation on the current online privacy debate during OMMA Ad Nets in New York.

Dwyer, who is associate professor of computer science and information systems at Pace University, said the online industry is just like other forms of industry between the buyers and sellers of products.

“As a buyer going to a seller, I expect that they’re not going to encage in any opportunistic behavior â€" that things are going to be above board,” she said. “That is something that is almost deeply engrained in the market. It’s actually a social contract. It is a social expectation.”

Dwyer used the term “autonomy” to describe consumer behavior under this social contract, explaining, “You as a consumer have autonomy as you go through your day-to-day shopping practices,” and that it might be difficult for the Federal Trade Commission to enforce a “dignity law” to protect that.

“But it is very important for anyone who deals with customers,” she added, “who has a market-based business that they understand the technology tat is engaging with them, and whether they feel violated by it.”

Pace's Dwyer, in an autonomous moment.