Asking for Personal Information: a Right Way and the Wrong Way

The public is understandably sensitive to matters of protecting their privacy on the internet. So for businesses who want some insight into their customers' web habits, it's clear that there's a right way...

From the blog of design group We Break Stuff:

"...If you'’re wondering about why I'’m collecting this information, I want to trace usage patterns and assert how those relate to the design, usability and IA of web applications. This will translate in some of the next blog posts in the "Building web applications" series. Thanks!"

And a wrong way...

From (my former employer) the Times Herald-Record:

"We would like to know what other local website you visit on a regular or semi-regular basis."

I bet you would. So would the Department of Justice. So would a lot of people. But why on earth should I trust you with this information? What will you use it for? If you can't be bothered to anticipate these questions, who will bother to answer yours?