"The historic European Union Directive on Data Protection takes effect in October 1998. A key provision prohibits transfer of personal information from Europe to other countries if the European Commission decides that they lack "adequate" protection of privacy. If enforced as written, the Directive could significantly disrupt commerce between Europe and other countries, such as the United States, that do not have comprehensive privacy statutes." "In...

"When it came into force in 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) joined the economic futures of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with rules governing trade and investment, dispute resolution, and economic relations." "However, economic integration among the three countries extends considerably beyond trade and investment. The NAFTA agreement takes a very narrow view of integration, barely addressing such vital issues as immigration...

"Examines trend toward digital means of consumer payments, asking several questions: How will digital money evolve? What impacts will technologies such as wireless devices have on payment for goods and services? What other technologies await consumers? And what will the consumer payments industry look like in the future?"--Provided by publisher.