About Parry Aftab
Parry
Aftab was one of the first lawyers to practice Internet law, when she began
practicing in the field shortly after the Web was launched. Known for her
ability to foster compromise and find solutions, she quickly became a leader
in the emerging area of Internet law and policy. She also formed networks
of professionals, and founded AOL's Legal Discussions, as well as Court
TV Law Center's Legal Helpline, providing legal information and education
to thousands of lawyers, consumers and businesses, worldwide. Using her
creativity and forward-thinking, she created the first virtual law firm,
pulling together lawyers of diverse expertise, from all over the world,
to form special teams able to handle any legal matters. She also became
well-known for her ability to spot emerging Internet issues, early, and
her online discussions and writing were often published and quoted by legal
journals and even judges in their decisions. She was one of the first to
recognize the privacy and security issues that were beginning to emerge
in employment-technology and online data collection areas.
While
running an affiliate office of her law firm in Moscow, Russia, she became
sensitized to international technology and cultural issues which would
impact the Internet. This permitted her a unique perspective on international
Internet law and policy. Her skills were recognized when she was appointed
to head up the U.S. National Action Committee for UNESCO's Internet safety
project and to The Internet Society Societal Steering Committee, to help
guide societal policies for this organization, worldwide. Her book for
parents about online safety has been adapted for worldwide use, and translated
into several languages. It is considered the leading resource for children's
Internet safety and privacy issues.
Often called the "Kids' Internet Lawyer" for her work with the children's Internet industry, her vocation and advocation joined forces when she became actively involved in children's Internet safety and privacy issues. But her expertise isn't limited to children, in any respect. While working closely with regulators, such as the FTC and the Singapore Broadcasting Authority, she was able to help frame practical solutions to regulatory problems. Her practical and common-sense approach has helped many clients navigate the treacherous waters of Internet regulations, and still meet their business goals. And her credibility and reputation have aided many a client when they needed it most.
Law enforcement agencies, worldwide, such as the FBI, U.S. Customs, Interpol, Scotland Yard, the Home Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Police and Japan's National Police, Hong Kong Police and the RCMP, seek her help and work closely with her in cybercrime prevention, cyber-terrorism, law enforcement and security matters. She has been appointed to the Home Office Cybercrime Task Forces, in the U.K. Her Internet safety group, WiredSafety, has been featured in many publications, such as Reader's Digest and TV Guide, and under its prior name, the group received the prestigious 1998 President's Service Award from the White House for its work in Internet safety
Parry Aftab is a regular source to major media outlets worldwide on Internet privacy, marketing, advertising and regulatory issues, as well as children and online safety and security. She has been quoted or featured in most leading magazines, including Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Reader's Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, Information Weekly, Teen People, Ladies Home Journal, Smart Business Magazine, The London Times Magazine, New York Magazine, Playboy and Cosmopolitan Magazine. She is also frequently consulted by leading news publications and appears often as a commentator on international, national and local television news programs. Because of her long-time expertise in the field of Internet law and policy, she is often invited to testify before Congressional and Senate hearings and is frequently consulted by U.S. and international governmental regulatory authorities on children's matters and overall Internet policy issues, privacy, security and law.
She is equally at home with the marketing people, as with law enforcement, regulators and the techies, and is a powerful advocate for the Internet industry and offline companies with a Web or e-commerce presence. Parry Aftab is a privacy and security lawyer who understands these issues from the inside out.
Parry Aftab
201-463-8663
