Abstract: Tiered management of privacy settings is disclosed. In one example, such management entails defining privacy tiers respectively corresponding to privacy levels. Cookies are then associated to the privacy tiers to accommodate the management of browsing activity according to the relevant tier. Additionally, different sets of private information are respectively associated to the privacy tiers. This provides for the management of browsing activity using the privacy tiers, the cookies and the different sets of private information. In this fashion, the association of a given cookie to a given privacy tier dictates a given set of private information to be provided to another party in connection with a given browsing activity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for competitive resolution of credit card transactions are provided. Banks are invited to bid to perform a transaction, initiated by the new existence of a credit card-processing to be performed. The successfully bidding bank is awarded the benefits and obligations of completing the credit card processing.

Abstract: Tiered management of privacy settings is disclosed. In one example, such management entails defining privacy tiers respectively corresponding to privacy levels. Cookies are then associated to the privacy tiers to accommodate the management of browsing activity according to the relevant tier. Additionally, different sets of private information are respectively to the privacy tiers. This provides for the management of browsing activity using the privacy tiers, the cookies and the different sets of private information. In this fashion, the association of a given cookie to a given privacy tier dictates a given set of private information to be provided to another party in connection with a given browsing activity.