The internationally-reputed world affairs magazine The Economist is holding a debate on online privacy. The debate was launched today Wednesday the 25th of August and it shall close on the 3rd of September 2010.

The Economist’s viewpoint and starting postulate is that “governments must do far more to protect online privacy.”

Any person willing to share ideas may contribute by logging onto the debate’s website, where it is hosted. The debate moderator is senior in-house journalist and MBA Martin Giles, currently the newspaper’s US technology correspondent based in San Francisco.

Opening statements for and against the Economist’s motion have been made by Marc Rotenburg, President and executive director, Electronic Privacy Information Center, and by Jim Harper, Director of information policy studies, Cato Institute.

If you feel concerned by the many issues connected to online privacy and your web browser is open, give it a go. Its free, mind-opening and accessible, whether you wish to post a comment or simply read through.