Microsoft pitches in for privacy network

Microsoft is supporting a Canadian Web portal dedicated to improving privacy protection for consumers. The Privacy Network portal is being developed by Microsoft Canada in partnership with Bell Security Solutions (a subsidiary of Bell Canada) and Toronto's Centre for Innovation Law and Policy, the software maker said Tuesday.

The portal, built using Microsoft's SharePoint, will give researchers, government decisionmakers and security industry professionals a roped-off areas to discuss new policies and technology to improve data protection, the company said. It is also intended to be a place where consumers can get general information on topics such as identity theft and phishing.