A Theory of Transactions Privacy
FRB Atlanta Working Paper No. 2000-22
29 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2001
There are 2 versions of this paper
A Theory of Transactions Privacy
Date Written: November 2000
Abstract
In this paper, we consider the costs and benefits of transactions privacy. In the environment we consider, privacy is the concealment of potentially useful information, but concealment also potentially bestows benefits. In some versions of the environment, the standard Coasian logic applies: given an unambiguous initial assignment of rights and sufficient flexibility in contracting, efficiency in information revelation will result. Coasian bargaining may be impeded, however, by either an inability to make certain commitments or by the presence of significant investments that must be made before the transaction occurs. In such cases, initial assignments of rights (for example, privacy laws) can have consequences for efficiency.
Keywords: Privacy, transactions, Internet, e-money
JEL Classification: D80, G28
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Recommended Papers
-
By Charles M. Kahn and William Roberds
-
By Charles M. Kahn, James Mcandrews, ...
-
A Theory of Transactions Privacy
By Charles M. Kahn, James Mcandrews, ...
-
Identity Theft, Privacy, and the Architecture of Vulnerability
-
Data Breaches and Identity Theft
By William Roberds and Stacey Schreft