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(NC)-With the advent of new computer and communications technology, the potential for privacy invasion has never been greater. Easier access to personal and financial information, credit ratings and Social Insurance Numbers, and the unauthorized collection and sale of personal data, are issues that concern many Canadian consumers.

Privacytown is a Web site from Industry Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs that takes you on a tour of the marketplace - to the drug store, medical office, shopping mall, bank, grocery store and more. At each stop, you can learn about specific privacy concerns and how to deal with them. You can also find information on topics such as how to prevent someone stealing your identity, and how personal information flows via new technologies. As well there are links to federal and provincial privacy commissioners.

Consumer Connection (http:// consumer.ic.gc.ca) is an award-winning Web site developed by the Office of Consumer Affairs of Industry Canada. It provides rapid access to consumer information, powerful tools to cut research time, and many useful links to consumer and other organizations. Canadians can access Consumer Connection from home, the public library, community access points or from Government of Canada, provincial and territorial service outlets. For a variety of information on everything from bank fees, to privacy rights, to the latest scams or frauds, this is the place to go.